Middle Georgia RESA Mentors Training

Supporting GaTAPP Teachers

Thank you for helping to support and grow a new teacher by serving as a school-based mentor for a Middle Georgia RESA GaTAPP teacher. Your role is vital to your mentees success.

First, you are responsible for greeting the new teacher, showing them around the school, introducing them to faculty and staff, locating where supplies are kept and how to requisition them, where the textbooks are stored and how to get them, being sure that they have what they need (copy of the curriculum they are expected to teach etc.), how to sign up to use the media center, what technology is available, where to keep student work, how/when to send home progress reports (or signed papers). In other words – you help then understand how the school operates.

Later, you will offer to plan together if you are the same grade level etc. or to help them with their plans, observe their classes occasionally and listen to their vents, problems etc. We do not necessarily tell new teachers that they are doing something wrong but use questions to bring them to evaluate their own teaching. If possible, you will also help them schedule field experiences (observations) at other schools.

So…let’s get started.

Step 1:

Familiarize yourself with the requirements of GaTAPP. Go online to and click on the “TAPP” button on the left side of the screen.

  • View the “TAPP Informational PowerPoint” if you have never mentored a TAPP teacher before. This will give you an overview of the requirements your mentee had to complete in order to be accepted into the program.
  • Click on “Forms” to view any of the forms.

Step 2:

Explore your role in your mentee’s success as a teacher.

  • Click on “Mentor Verification Forms” under Portfolio. These forms must be “signed off” by you, the mentor, and become part of the candidate’s portfolio. Now is also a good time to view the portfolio requirements. Your mentee will complete this portfolio prior to finishing the TAPP program. Your active participation will help ensure his/her success.

Step 3: (All information here is found under mentor training)

Prepare to mentor and coach your new teacher.

  • View the TAPP Mentor PowerPoint (found under mentor training) to familiarize yourself or review the role of a mentor.
  • Read the Coaching Strategies handout (found under mentor training).
  • View the 24 Competencies handout (found under mentor training). In order to complete the GaTAPP program, your mentee will have to meet all 24 competencies.
  • Read the “Look Fors and Listen Fors” in Components of Charlotte Danielson’s Framework(found under mentor training). These will help you observe the 24 competencies and help you help your mentee complete the portfolio and other evidence of competency.

Still have questions? Contact Pam Wacter at or (478)475-8630. Again, thank you for offering your time and expertise to help a new teacher.