NTCSD Mentoring 2026-2027

We are thrilled to welcome you to the North Tonawanda City School District and congratulate you on joining our Lumberjack family! You are now part of a community rooted in pride, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success.

Your orientation and mentoring experience is designed to provide meaningful connections, essential tools, and ongoing support as you begin your journey in North Tonawanda. Throughout the year, this SMORE will help you quickly find the people, resources, and information you need.

Heather Sicoli
NTUT New Teacher Mentoring Liaison

Patrick Holesko
Executive Director of Educational Services

New Teacher Orientation will be held August 12–13, 2026. The agenda includes welcome sessions, district overviews, mentoring time, curriculum and instructional support, technology, and opportunities to connect with colleagues.

🔗 View the Full 2026–2027 New Teacher Orientation Agenda

Whether you are a mentor or mentee, the handbook is your primary reference for mentoring expectations, responsibilities, documentation, and support throughout the year.
🔗 Mentoring Handbook — Open the 2026–2027 New Teacher Mentee Handbook

We are grateful to our mentors for supporting our newest educators. Use the link below to find your mentor/mentee pairing and access your shared Digital Mentoring Logbook.

Use the list below to locate your mentor/mentee pairing. Select your pairing to open your shared Excel Online Mentoring Logbook.

Please use Microsoft Excel Online when accessing and updating your mentoring log.

👥 2026–2027 Mentor/Mentee Pairings & Logbook Access

📓 Bieger, Aidan — Music Teacher | Ohio / Spruce | Mentor: Virginia Hendra

📓 Buchanan, Tyler — Special Education Teacher | NTMS | Mentor: Jack Mulcahy

📓 Castello, Rachel — School Psychologist | NTI | Mentor: Bonnie Wydysh

📓 Darlak, Jennifer - Special Education Teacher | NTMS | Mentor: Nicole Dirienzo

📓 Doucette, Desiree — Speech Teacher | Ohio | Mentor: Liz Diegelman

📓Englander, Claire - ELL | Spruce | Drake: Kristen Wolf

📓 Gioeli, Maia — Special Education Teacher | Ohio | Mentor: Gabrielle Armstrong

📓 Hoyt, Lucas — Science Teacher | NTHS | Mentor: Kevin Whalen

📓 Jay, Jacob — Music Teacher | NTMS | Mentor: Sarah Roberts

📓 Lindhurst, Jason — Social Studies Teacher | NTHS | Mentor: Kimberly Kouzan

📓 Rogoza, Lauren — Music Teacher | NTI | Mentor: Brandon Burgess

📓 Stewart, Hannah — Special Education Teacher | NTI | Mentor: Kelsey Anthony

📓 Schoolcraft, Emily — Special Education Teacher | Ohio | Mentor: Sarah James

Having trouble accessing your logbook? Contact Patrick Holesko for assistance.

Your Excel Online Mentoring Workbook is the official record of your mentoring activities and hours. Please update it at least weekly to keep your records current throughout the school year.

👀 Required Classroom Observations

Two classroom observations are required:

• Your mentor will observe you teaching.
• You will observe your mentor teaching.

Please schedule both observations and enter the dates in your Excel Online Mentoring Workbook by November 1, 2026.

These observations are designed to support professional conversation, positive feedback, reflection, and the sharing of instructional ideas and strategies.

📅 Save the Dates — 2026–2027 Mentoring Meetings

Please add the following mentoring meetings to your calendar:

📍 September 15, 2026 — In Person
Time/Location: TBD

📍 October 20, 2026 — In Person
Time: TBD
Includes dedicated curriculum-focused collaboration time for mentors and mentees.

💻 January 5, 2027 — Virtual
Time/Location: TBD

📍 March 16, 2027 — In Person
Time: TBD

Final meeting times and locations will be shared as they are confirmed.

Your Excel Online Mentoring Workbook is where you should maintain the ongoing record of your mentoring activities and hours throughout the school year.

Please remember to update your mentoring hours at least weekly so your records remain accurate and current.

When it is time to complete the appropriate Frontline process, your documented mentoring hours will provide the information needed to verify your participation and cumulative hours.

Need help using Frontline?

Use the updated step-by-step guide below:

➡️ 2026–2027 Frontline Professional Growth SMORE User Guide