Question

A school is planning to initiate a new mentoring program for beginning teachers. Goals of the program include promoting the instructional proficiency of new teachers and increasing new teacher retention. Which of the following practices used by school administrators would best help ensure the success of the new program?

Choose an answer
A. observing and providing feedback on meetings between mentors and mentees on a regular basis
B. providing initial and ongoing training for individuals who are selected to serve as a mentor
C. pairing new teachers with mentors who have similar backgrounds and life experiences
D. giving mentors flexibility in defining their own roles and responsibilities in the mentoring relationship

Answer 1

The most effective practice for school administrators to support a mentoring program for new teachers is to provide initial and ongoing training for mentors. This approach ensures mentors have the necessary skills and knowledge to guide new teachers, which is vital for the program's success and can lead to improved job satisfaction and retention.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure the success of a new mentoring program for beginning teachers aimed at promoting instructional proficiency and increasing teacher retention, the best practice for school administrators is providing initial and ongoing training for individuals selected to serve as mentors. This foundational step ensures mentors are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively guide new teachers. While pairing teachers with similar backgrounds can bring relatability, and giving mentors flexibility could foster creativity in the relationship, systematic mentor training lays the groundwork for a successful mentoring program. Such training can cover the key aspects of mentoring, offer tools for effective communication, and provide strategies to help new teachers navigate the challenges they may face, aligning with the findings that mentoring can lead to greater job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and performance ratings.

Additionally, evidence suggests that formalized mentorship programs can offer significant career benefits to protégés, including higher salaries and greater promotion rates. Engaging in a structured process where mentors are properly trained allows mentors to be more effective in supporting their mentees, which can contribute positively to the retention and success of new teachers in a school setting.