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University of Wyoming

MENTORING PROGRAM BEGINS FOR NEW TEACHERS

March 8, 2005 -- A statewide task force sponsored by the Wyoming State Department of Education is researching how to support induction and mentoring programs offered by local school districts.

Robin Dexter, an assistant professor in the University of Wyoming College of Education Department of Educational Leadership, says the 12-member task force, comprised of school educators, was developed to include education professionals representing small and large school districts; professionals assigned to mentoring positions; teachers; and members of UW teacher and leadership preparation programs.

Induction, Dexter says, is when a "buddy" (veteran staff member) is assigned to assist a new teacher to assimilate to "the way the district and building do things," such as paperwork, handbooks, getting to know the school and local community, and basic operations. Induction typically takes place in the new teacher's first year, she says.

Dexter adds that mentoring involves a veteran teacher who serves as a guide, sponsor, or coach who helps a new teacher develop professional skills and assists with instructional strategies, assessment and collaboration with parents.

"Mentors have a tremendous responsibility in bringing new educators to a high level of instructing," Dexter says.

Education research reveals up to one-third of new teachers leave the profession within the first three years; by the end of five years, 39 percent have left; and, after five years, approximately 50 percent have left the profession. Dexter says supporting and retaining new teachers affects more than just the new teacher; the impact is felt by students, parents, veteran teachers, administrators, teacher educators, policymakers, and taxpayers.

According to research, mentoring is the premier strategy for inducting, retaining and developing new teachers, Dexter says.

The state 12-member Mentor Task Force (MTF) was charged with developing a "portable" (a resource that can be delivered to and used by individual school districts) new teacher induction and mentoring program that would be available to all Wyoming school districts to support the development or the continuation of such local programs. The MTF developed and disseminated the portable program, "New Teacher Induction and Mentoring Tool Box," to all school districts in spring 2004.

"The box looks like a big fishing tackle box that contains resources to support a district or school in developing mentoring programs," Dexter says. The tool box has such items as books, articles, examples of induction/mentoring programs in Wyoming, sample forms, and a notebook guide that has the resources organized around key components, she adds.

"New teachers are expected to take charge of their classrooms as if they had been teaching for years. No matter how well new teachers are prepared in college, learning to teach requires guidance and time to transition from being a student to having students of their own," Dexter says. She adds that schools must secure the resources, training, and support, and more important, make the effort to retain new teachers.

Members of the task force are Bill Berube, head of the Educational Leadership Department and Dexter, both from the UW College of Education; Lynda Collins, Sundance Elementary School principal; Carryl Goens, Campbell County School District staff development; Ken Griffith, Guernsey-Sunrise School principal; Lynn Kahler, Natrona County assistant director/staff development; Mike Klopfenstein, Laramie County School District assistant superintendent; Gary McDowell, Wyoming Education Association president; Linda Merrell, WYCAS, coordinator from Sweetwater County School District; Greg Poduska, Teton County School District teacher; Kay Post, State Department of Education deputy superintendent; and Gloria Sempsis, White Mountain Junior High School in Rock Springs.