About

SC/SVNTP Vision: The Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project (SC/SVNTP) believes in providing equitable education for each student by developing culturally responsive antiracist teachers who focus on student outcomes

SC/SVNTP Induction Model and objectives

Logo for the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher ProjectThe SC/SVNTP Induction Model:

The SC/SVNTP Induction model assists and supports Participating Teachers through two years of Induction as they enter the teaching profession in California. Support is focused on strengthening Participating Teachers’ classroom practice, ensuring student academic success, and developing collaborative, curious, persistent, and reflective teachers who are responsive to the diverse cultural, social, academic, and linguistic backgrounds of all students. 

The SC/SVNTP Offers:

  • Intensive, one-on-one mentoring for teachers clearing a preliminary credential
  • Professional development for Teachers, Mentors, Instructional Coaches, and Administrators
  • Collaborative formative assessment tools aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP)

SC/SVNTP Objectives:

Develop teacher capacity and competence as defined in the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and Induction Standards by:

  • Providing advisement and assistance to qualified Participating Teachers so they may complete requirements for their California Professional Clear Credential
  • Using formative assessment and support practices to inform support and guide teacher professional development
  • Documenting teacher professional growth over time
  • Modeling and encouraging ongoing self-assessment and reflection
  • Fostering collaboration and leadership among teachers and the mentors who support them
  • Building partnerships with site and district stakeholders to support Participating Teachers in their work with students

our history

Photo of Ellen Moir, founder of the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project in 1988Ellen Moir, founder of the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project in 1988 and the New Teacher Center The Santa Cruz New Teacher Project was established in 1988 by Ellen Moir, then Director of Teacher Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), in collaboration with Wendy Baron, Supervisor of Teacher Education at UCSC, and supported by the Chair of the UCSC Teacher Education Program, Eugene Garcia. In 1988, the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project was among the first 15 New Teacher Project pilot programs funded by the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 

In 1993, the legislature approved funding for new teacher support and created legislation for Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA). BTSA set aside state funds to provide mentor support for new teachers in order to clear their credentials. The Santa Cruz New Teacher Project became one of California’s initial projects jointly administered by the CDE and the CTC.

In 1998, based on the successful work of the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project, Ellen Moir founded the national New Teacher Center (NTC). Now a stand alone non profit, NTC is dedicated to improving student outcomes by accelerating the development of teachers and leaders. 

The Silicon Valley New Teacher Project was established in 2000, joining with the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project to become the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project, and extending the Induction model into Santa Clara County. 

While BTSA funding no longer exists under the Local Control Funding Formula, Induction is still a required and valuable component of the teacher credentialing system in California. SC/SVNTP continues to partner closely with the members of its’ consortium to provide high-quality support for mentors and instructional coaches. Today, the SC/SVNTP supports an average of 65 full-release mentors who serve over 500 new teachers in close to 40 partner districts and charter schools in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and parts of Contra Costa, San Benito, and San Mateo county.

SC/SVNTP Vision, Mission, and Values

Group of young students engaging in a classroom activity  Vision

The Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project (SC/SVNTP) believes in providing equitable education for each student by developing culturally responsive antiracist teachers who focus on student outcomes.

Mission Statement

The SC/SVNTP, in partnership with participating districts, develops highly trained mentors to collaborate with teachers who are in the process of earning their California Clear Teaching Credential. To ensure growth for each learner, we explore culturally responsive pedagogy through an individualized goal-focused approach, strengthening effective habits of mind and best practices within and beyond the classroom as outlined in the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP).

Values

The SC/SVNTP was built on the core values of equity, collaboration, responsiveness, positive presupposition, reflective dialogue, and inquiry stance.

Our Partners

The following districts and charters are members of the SC/SVNTP consortium. We also provide support for various charters and private schools within the districts listed below.

Santa Clara County
  • Alpha Public Schools
  • Alum Rock School District
  • Bellarmine
  • Berryessa Union School District
  • Bullis Charter School
  • Discovery Charter School
  • East Side Union High School District
  • Loma Prieta School District
  • Los Gatos School District
  • Morgan Hill School District
  • Mount Pleasant Elementary School District
  • Mountain View-Whisman School District
  • Rocketship Education 
  • Saratoga Union School District
  • Sunnyvale School District
  • Union School District
  • University Preparatory Academy
Santa Cruz County
  • Aromas/San Juan Unified School District
  • Bonny Doon Elementary School District
  • Ceiba Public Charter School
  • Delta Charter School
  • Happy Valley Elementary School District
  • Live Oak School District
  • Mountain Elementary School District
  • Pacific Elementary School District
  • Pacific Collegiate Charter School 
  • Pajaro Valley Unified School District
  • San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
  • Santa Cruz City School District
  • Santa Cruz County Office of Education 
  • Scotts Valley Unified School District
  • Soquel Unified School District
  • The Bay School
  • Tierra Pacifica Charter School

Meet our leadership team

The SC/SVNTP is led by a team of highly knowledgable and experienced educators with a long history of work in Induction

Melissa Roberts
Senior Director Equity SC/SVNTP

Candace McIsaac
Director (Silicon Valley)

Jamie Brown
Assistant Director
(Silicon Valley)

Marvilyn Quiroz
Assistant Director
(Santa Cruz)

Patricia Isaak
Senior Administrative Assistant

Sita Kaimal
      Department Coordinator        SC/SVNTP & ED Services


Laurie Stewart
Administrative Assistant
Ed Services

It is the policy of the SC/SVNTP, as part of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, to ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education has Administrative Regulation and Superintendents Policies that each involve nondiscrimination in employment.