Mentoring And Induction Programs That Support New Principals

A well-prepared new principal is essential to the success of an entire school. So why is it one of the least supported positions in the building? The author addresses the key question of how well new principals are prepared and supported. This is an ideal resource for developing a mentoring or induction program for principals, or for enhancing existing programs. This text offers a close examination of the state of principalship and the needs of new principals, as well as a detailed compilation of principal mentoring and induction programs throughout the United States.

A well-prepared new principal is essential to the success of an entire school. So why is it one of the least supported positions in the building? The author addresses the key question of how well new principals are prepared and supported. This is an ideal resource for developing a mentoring or induction program for principals, or for enhancing existing programs. This text offers a close examination of the state of principalship and the needs of new principals, as well as a detailed compilation of principal mentoring and induction programs throughout the United States.

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!

Leadership Through Mentoring: The Key to Improving the Principals Confidence and Skill lays out the case for the development of robust mentorship programs to support new school leaders. With principal turnover at an all-time high, it is urgent that schools and districts find ways to help newly appointed leaders grow into effective supervisors, managers, and strategic thinkers who can also find personal and professional satisfaction in their careers. Using examples from several established and successful state programs, Leadership Through Mentoring shows how new school leaders’ effectiveness, vision, and engagement can be grown through intentionally designed and executed programs that offer supportive guidance and wise counsel from experienced leaders. Thoughtfully created and appropriately resourced, such programs can pave the way to longer and more successful principal tenures, which research shows lead directly to significant improvements in schools’ cultures, educational efficacy, and teacher and student performance. This is a book for leaders and governing bodies in all kinds of schools.

"A must-read for anyone interested in ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of teacher induction and mentoring. Sweeny mentors the reader by sharing details from his two decades of developing and leading high-impact mentoring programs. I′ve improved my own effectiveness by employing these insightful strategies." —Hal Portner, Educational Consultant Author of Mentoring New Teachers "Offers many suggestions and guiding principles for organizing mentoring programs and succinctly addresses many complex issues of program development and interpersonal relationships in mentoring roles. There is so much information in an easy-to-read, direct presentation." —Lori Helman, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Develop a high-impact training and mentoring program that strengthens teacher and student performance! While resources are abundant for helping the mentor and the new teacher, very little has been written to guide the leaders of teacher and mentor development. In Leading the Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program, Second Edition, Barry W. Sweeny provides an effective, proven model for developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining an induction and mentoring program that results in highly qualified teachers. A nationally known mentoring expert, the author offers comprehensive guidance and a wealth of practical strategies that allow leaders to support mentors and novice teachers and to promote school improvement and professional development initiatives. Extensively revised to include the latest research, this second edition: Presents step-by-step directions for each part of the program development and implementation process Links induction and mentoring to districtwide goals for improved teaching practice and increased student achievement Includes sample schedules, templates, and reproducible forms Provides solid recommendations for avoiding pitfalls and increasing program effectiveness Ideal for principals, district administrators, teacher trainers, and mentor leaders, this resource offers essential tools for designing and implementing a new induction and mentoring program or improving an existing one.

Mentoring in educational contexts has become a rapidly growing field of study, both in the United States and internationally (Fletcher & Mullen, 2012). The prevalence of mentoring has resulted in the mindset that “everyone thinks they know what mentoring is, and there is an intuitive belief that mentoring works” (Eby, Rhodes, & Allen, 2010, p. 7). How do we know that mentoring works? In this age of accountability, the time is ripe for substantiating evidence through empirical research, what mentoring processes, forms, and strategies lead to more effective teachers and administrators within P?12 contexts. This book is the sixth in the Mentoring Perspectives Series, edited by Dr. Frances Kochan former Dean of the College of Education at Auburn University. This latest book in the series, co?edited by Linda J. Searby and Susan K. Brondyk, brings together reports of recent research on mentoring in K?12 settings for new teachers and new principals. The book has already garnered accolades from mentoring experts: "You will want to add this high?quality volume on mentoring to your library! What a terrific resource for teachers, leaders, administrators, and mentoring scholars alike. Having first?hand knowledge of mentoring practices and programs for P?12 teachers and administrators can help with the national need to retain teachers and principals through such means as excellent, proven methods, programs, and processes of mentoring" ~ Carol A. Mullen, Educational Leadership Professor, Virginia Tech, U.S. Fulbright Scholar; Kappa Delta Pi Presidential Commissioner "This volume, Best Practices in Mentoring for Teacher and Leader Development, forwards principles of effective mentoring, including the role and importance of talk in mentoring, using tools that make mentoring talk more purposeful, analyzing practice, involving mentors in opportunities to share their practice, providing space for mentees to have a voice in mentoring conversations, and promoting learning at all levels as part of instructional leadership in schools. Much research is still needed to build a sense of urgency that mentoring can matter, and ideas promoted within this book can contribute to this important conversation." ~ Randi Nevins Stanulis, Professor, Department of Teacher Education, Michigan State University, and Director of Launch into Teaching. "This book is a huge first step in a field where best practices have not yet been agreed upon, and it is sure to be a leading voice in research on teacher and principal mentoring. As such, this book helps to bring together a variety of beliefs, evidence, and practices in teacher and principal mentoring, and gives a clear pathway for others trying to establish best practices in their mentoring fields. For those in the K?12 fields, and in all mentoring practices, this is a thought?provoking, must?read." ~ Nora Domínguez, International Mentoring Association, President and CEO

Establishing collaborative relationships with staff, building trust, and fostering a climate of mutual respect are goals that principals strive for on a daily basis. The second edition of Are You Sure You're the Principal? helps school leaders build upon these authentic leadership qualities by combining practical advice and theoretical insight with a no-nonsense approach and reflective strategies to improve principals' professional practice. Ideal for new and experienced school leaders, this resource discusses how to balance listening and leading, work through conflict, be a mentor, and seek out advisors for guidance and support. This second edition is updated with A new chapter on career fulfillment, Advice on evaluating goals, preferences, and opportunities, Study guides related to each chapter for group or individual professional development. Through personal stories and commentaries, the author provides a mentor-in-a-book that helps principals feel more supported within the school community. Book jacket.