When it comes to teacher retention and job satisfaction, teacher mentorship makes a big difference. Teacher mentorship is unique! It’s a form of professional development that directly improves the school where it takes place. Because when teachers work together to improve their skills, everyone else benefits, too. From enhanced educational consistency, to increased engagement, and improved teacher confidence, there are many reasons to implement a teacher mentorship program. The research within Teacher Mentorship as a Means to Improve Schools by Miranda Bowman states that, “Schools that have mentoring programs have a strong effect on novice teachers, primarily in the areas of teacher retention, classroom instructional practices, and student achievement.”
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Leadership Opportunities and Additional Support
Teacher mentorship programs have countless benefits for new and veteran teachers alike. Mentorship allows experienced teachers to emerge as leaders and take part in guiding the programming in their school. Mentoring can also inspire teachers to get re-energized about their own careers! From this partnership, new teachers gain key skills that they can rely on throughout their careers, like problem solving, strategy, and improved teaching skills. Plus, when teachers feel like they’re part of a team, they’re more concerned with school-wide student success, not just their own classroom!
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Boost Teacher Confidence
Teacher mentorship helps teachers build growth mindsets, as well as self-reliance in their teaching skills. In particular, math teachers often need this extra support. When facing difficult concepts like fractions, inexperienced math teachers may find themselves feeling less than confident. Growth mindsets can help! Teachers with growth mindsets believe anyone can improve their abilities in math, even themselves. They’re more likely to give students concrete strategies to improve in math, supporting student success. Help teachers build their growth mindset and teaching confidence by pairing them with experienced math teachers! Discover tips to help teachers build their growth mindsets.
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Help Identify Knowledge Gaps
Starting a new career can be overwhelming for anyone. Don’t let your new staff members feel overstretched as they juggle between learning new vocabulary, school culture, and procedures. Pairing them with a veteran teacher can get them up to speed. Through this relationship, the pair can identify any gaps in content knowledge the new teacher might have, and create a strategy to fill in their knowledge.
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Enhance School Culture
Teacher mentorship is highly beneficial for the entire school community. When teachers partner together and share their knowledge, a school’s quality becomes more consistent. Educators working together on tricky subjects like consistent behavior management and student goals can improve both student attitudes and engagement school-wide. Plus, working in a team creates much-needed connections between peers, in a job where individuals are largely problem solving independently. As a result, the school climate improves for both teachers and students!
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Improve Teacher Retention
Teacher retention remains an ongoing problem, especially for new teachers. When schools have to use their resources to constantly start over with new hires, they can’t focus on larger educational goals. Through teacher mentorship, teachers feel enhanced confidence, job satisfaction, and experience a more supportive community. It's no surprise that Bowman’s research shows that, “if new teachers were effectively mentored, they would be more likely to stay in teaching professions, because they would experience more support and better working conditions.” Reduce turnover and reap the reward of student success!
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