A study of mentoring for beginning teachers at a British college showed that mentors and proteges had differing definitions of Mentoring. Better communication about expectations, mentor training, and recognition of different Mentoring styles were needed. (SK)

Argues that, in this time of teacher shortage, English educators must all reach out to encourage and help new teachers or struggling veteran teachers. Offers several examples of organized efforts (by professional groups, in districts and as individuals) to address this need. (SR)

In a telephone survey 18 new social work educators responded to questions about their perceptions of mentoring in their first years as faculty members. Found that they believe mentoring relationships provide them with multiple benefits, including improved teaching and research performance. Also identified several factors important to the success…

Staff developers recently spotlighted critical issues facing schools or districts trying to develop or improve beginning teacher mentoring programs. This article excerpts their suggestions, explaining how to build and support effective mentoring programs via: selecting mentors and matching mentors and mentees; mentor training; bringing a focus to…

In Walla Walla (Washington), an award-winning teacher mentoring program has boosted the new-teacher retention rate to 93 percent. With state funding, the program assigns each new teacher a "peer coach" and a "peer mentor," then provides training and support for all concerned. The program has become a good recruitment and…

This brief article describes the Mentoring Induction project of the Council for Exceptional Children. The project has developed guidelines for mentoring programs and piloted the guidelines with eight school districts. Interviews with new teachers suggest their primary concern is with curriculum. Suggestions are offered for how other teachers and…

One of the ironies of teaching is that it is one of the most social occupations, but it is also one of the most isolating professions. Most schools are organized in an eggcrate manner, making professional collaborations difficult. In what other business would a professional not have easy access to a telephone? What other professional lives are…

This study explores principals' roles in a large, urban, standards-based induction program. Principals from eight high schools, four middle schools, and 42 elementary schools were surveyed. Five case study schools were investigated using interviews of principals, novice teachers, and focus groups for mentors and site induction coordinators.…

Regardless of the quality of their preservice preparation programs, new teachers often leave the teaching profession; special education teachers are almost twice as likely to leave as general education teachers and more likely to leave within the first five years of employment (Claycomb, 2000; Crutchfield, 1997). Induction programs typically…

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of programs offering support, guidance, and orientation for beginning teachers during the transition into their first teaching job. This study examines whether such programs--collectively known as induction--have a positive effect on the retention of beginning teachers. The data used in the…

Research, reports and studies all confirm the fact that American schools are facing a crisis: not enough teachers to fill positions in schools. One critical component of this crisis is the fact that many newer teachers to the profession quit after only one or two years. A common factor for many of those new teachers who quit is the lack of…

Community colleges are crucial to American economic progress and are the gateways for students of color to enter higher education. The enrollment of students of color has soared in the last three decades, increasing 61.3% since 1986. However, the majority of community college faculty and administrators remains predominantly White. A more diverse…

This qualitative case study examines the relationship of teachers who mentor other teachers. We studied 125 autobiographical portfolios submitted by elementary and secondary teachers who had won awards as outstanding educators from their campuses and were competing at the district level. The research site was a midsize city (population 95,000) in…

The induction period is a very important time in the career of a teacher and has a long-term influence on the teacher's professional development, efficacy, job satisfaction and the length of his/her career. One of the key roles in this period is played by the trainee's mentor. This paper presents the results of the extensive project…

This study of mentoring 1st-year faculty in physical education departments focused on individual reasons for mentoring and organizational factors inhibiting or facilitating mentoring. A phenomenological research design was used to examine the mentoring relationship between 1st-year faculty and physical education department Chairs (N = 5), and a…