Comprehensive Mentoring Programs For New Teachers

This updated edition presents 18 successful real-world programs, 5 factors for developing a comprehensive mentoring initiative, and new material for mentoring special education, math, and science teachers.

Foreword by Charlotte Danielson All the information administrators and teacher leaders need to get started on the right mentoring model! The value of mentoring programs for teacher training and retention is widely recognized . . . but which program should you choose for your school or LEA′s unique mix of teachers and goals? And how should you begin? Mentoring expert Susan Villani offers a number of ways in which schools, teacher associations, institutions of higher education, educational collaboratives, and state departments of education can support teachers with the right mentoring program at the right time. Topics include: - Inducting new teachers - Continuing professional development programme design - District-funded programmes - Peer Assistance and Review programmes - State-funded programmes - Grant- and alternative-funded programs . . . all presented in a straightforward and accessible style. Mentoring Programs for New Teachers is a great first step in establishing a mentoring program that will affect hiring, orientation, teacher effectiveness, and staff morale for the better!

"A much-needed resource for teacher mentors. The new and updated strategies and practical approach will give mentors crucial support as they provide assistance and encouragement to new teachers. Portner has clearly demonstrated the importance of both theory and practice in this practical guide." —Priscilla Miller, Director Center for Teacher Education & Research, Westfield State College A comprehensive guide for developing successful mentors! Quality mentoring can provide the support and guidance critical to an educator′s first years of teaching. In the latest edition of the best-selling Mentoring New Teachers, Hal Portner draws upon research, experience, and insights to provide a comprehensive overview of essential mentoring behaviors. Packed with strategies, exercises, resources, and concepts, this book examines four critical mentoring functions: establishing good rapport, assessing mentee progress, coaching continuous improvement, and guiding mentees toward self-reliance. Tools and topics new to this edition include: Teacher mentor standards based on the NBPTS Core Propositions and validated by members of the International Mentoring Association and other practitioners Classroom observation methods and competency instruments Tools to assess preferred learning styles Approaches to mentoring the nontraditional new teacher A guide for careerlong professional development School leaders, experienced and prospective mentors, and staff developers can use this step-by-step handbook to create a dynamic mentoring program or revitalize an existing one.

Designed for professional developers who work with mentors, the Facilitation and Training Guide can be used to recreate or customize the comprehensive mentoring program developed by WestEd's Kathy Dunne and Susan Villani. Activities are organized at two levels: (1) for working directly with mentor teachers and (2) for helping professional developers design their own mentor training programs. Each step-by-step activity includes a statement of purpose, facilitator notes, and all necessary handouts and overheads. In addition to the hardcopy binder materials, a CD-ROM holds all customizable handouts and agendas as well as complete PowerPoint presentations. The materials in this guide supplement and expand upon the companion book, "Mentoring New Teachers Through Collaborative Coaching: Linking Student and Teacher Learning."

A useful guide for teacher mentors as they face new and difficult challenges in their work New teachers often struggle to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, and the idea of mentoring these teachers during their first years in the classroom has captured the imagination of schools all over the world. Drawn from the experiences over the last twenty years of the New Teacher Center, the book illuminates the subtleties and struggles of becoming an excellent, effective mentor. The book discusses the five big tensions of mentoring: developing a new identity, developing trusting relationships, accelerating teacher growth, mentoring in challenging contexts, and learning leadership skills. Describes in-depth the most common challenges of the mentor role A wonderful guide for both new and veteran mentors Includes engaging firsthand narratives written by mentors working in a variety of settings This book is from the New Teacher Center, an organization whose highly respected mentor training model has served over 50,000 teachers nationwide. The New Teacher Center is dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders through comprehensive mentoring and professional development programs.

This book draws together various theoretical and research-based perspectives to examine the institutionalization of mentoring processes for beginning teachers. Teacher induction, defined as the guidance provided to new teachers, is increasingly gaining traction as a key stage in promoting quality education. Major efforts have been put into reducing transitional challenges from being a student teacher to a practicing teacher; optimizing professional relationships and socialization into school dynamics; and increasing teacher retention. Mentoring has been proven to add benefits in assisting beginning teachers during the early years of their teaching career, because it provides the required knowledge and skills to face uncertain school scenarios and the complexities of practice. However, teacher induction programs are not part of regular instruction in many countries. The lack of teacher training during the induction phase might result in lower levels of commitment, professional isolation, or even attrition. This book calls for more concrete mentoring processes for early career teachers, and questions how this can be put into practice.

Use these step-by-step strategies to develop and implement a proven program that links to districtwide goals and results in highly qualified teachers and increased student achievement.