New Teacher Mentors

Mentoring and coaching are key levers in teacher retention. Mentoring new teachers is complex and demanding work and require a specific set of knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Teacher mentorship helps to improve teacher morale by reducing a sense of isolation through the mentor/coach partnership. To become effective mentors of teachers, classroom teacher mentors engage in a focused preparation program, on-going professional development, a community of practice focused on the complexities of accelerating new teachers’ practice, and opportunities to engage reflective practice to advance their own practice.

The primary responsibilities of New Teacher Mentors include conducting monthly professional learning/support, conducting ongoing coaching conversations on the culture of learning, and instructional strategies that support standards-aligned instruction along with facilitating interactions that will encourage retention.