Better Mentoring for Better Teachers

As we know, mentors for residents are an essential part of the UTR model.  This recent Ed Week article discusses three factors that help to ensure a teacher mentoring program’s success.  The first factor is the obvious one- finding the right teachers to be mentors.  As many UTRs know, just because you are a great teacher does not make you a great mentor.  Above all, successful mentors should be educators that have a track record of attaining student achievement.  These mentors can then be trained on how to make their practice more public so that they may be a model for emerging teachers.  A second factor is to align instructional support efforts to the mentoring program.  Ideally there is some consistency and support for the efforts being offered to mentors and emerging teachers.  Lastly, a partnership with principals is important.  Mentors can support principals to be better instructional leaders by advancing an understanding of effective observation and coaching. 

“New Teacher Mentoring: Hopes and Promise for Improving Teacher Effectiveness”, discusses how different districts are building on these factors.  Any other thoughts from you on how increase mentoring program success?

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