More Insight from AASPA: A Mentor Program for All Teachers

Yesterday Steve Kelley, Assistant Superintendent for the Lebanon Community School District in Oregon shared a unique mentor program that his district has been implementing for the last 5 years with new teachers to the district. The Lebanon program is one of the most extensive mentor programs I have heard about and they are experiencing great retention success. Steve offered his perspectives on why this program works and identified the keys to success for any mentor program. First and foremost, mentor programs must be unique to your district and your district’s perspectives. The program’s key goals is not only to support new teachers to the profession and to the school district, but to indoctrinate new teachers into the culture of the district (their beliefs, practices, and goals). Lebanon utilizes a 3 day orientation program and mentors for all new teachers, but also takes these practices one step further with monthly new teacher conversations, critical friends groups, and instructional coaches. Steve identified the five keys to success for any mentor program:

• Money - For any mentor program to be successful it has to be supported financially. Lebanon does this through Title II funds and spends approximately $200,000 a year (district of 5,000 students)
• Coordinator - Someone must be put in charge of the program at the district level
• Partnerships - Meaningful partnerships with local universities can have a strong impact. Lebanon utilizes the local university to train mentors.
• Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate - Talk to new teachers and mentors often about what works and doesn’t work (Lebanon utilizes surveys and focus groups)
• Provide training and support to coordinator, instructional coaches, and mentors - Training is essential for mentors and support personnel.

If you would like more information on Steve's presentation email me at kylie.stewart@greenbush.org.