Mentor Teacher Support

Launch into Teaching prepares mentors to help beginning teachers integrate pedagogical and content knowledge in ways that promote growth and development of these novice teachers to impact student learning. Mentor and beginning teacher collaboration engages colleagues in joint inquiry to reflect on, and learn from, practice.

Evidence suggests that when mentors have substantial preparation and when the mentoring is instructional and standards-based, beginning teachers can have a significant impact on student achievement. Mentor teachers benefit from the additional instruction and support they need to develop into exceptional teacher educators. Launch into Teaching provides mentor development through intensive and sustained preparation in many forms:

The experiences I had in this program strengthened my mentoring skills enormously. I felt more able to use questioning as a tool to encourage my BT to construct his own understandings rather than “spoon feeding” him my views. I felt so much more competent and confident, after only one year, in my ability to intensively mentor a beginning teacher.
-Mentor Teacher

  • Mentor Study Groups (MSG): Mentors meet regularly with trained Launch into Teaching coaches on site or via polycom. Using a study group format, mentors immerse themselves in learning new mentoring skills and strategies to apply in their work with beginning teachers. Relevant research around topics of teaching and mentoring are discussed and adapted to the unique needs of the group.
  • Theory Into Practice support sessions (TIP): Between Mentor Study Groups, mentors meet to continue applying learning from the MSG. Skilled Launch into Teaching coaches facilitate discussions around individual successes and challenges the mentors are experiencing as they apply ideas from an MSG into their practice. TIP sessions provide additional opportunities to “fine tune” and practice new learning to address specific mentor and beginning teacher needs.
  • One-on-One Conferences: Individual mentoring needs are met through regularly scheduled One-on-One Conferences between a mentor and their Launch into Teaching coach. During these conferences, mentors and their coaches work together to find ways to help facilitate the growth of specific novice teachers.

Launch into Teaching coaches support the intensive mentors in their new roles by utilizing strategies to deepen mentor thinking. Mentoring is a reflective practice that requires accountability and a desire to develop skills. Launch into Teaching supports mentor teachers in a variety of ways to promote lasting new teacher growth.

Further support for mentors can be found on the ASSIST website, including observation tools, professional articles, and additional resources to promote educative mentoring. Contact us so we can develop a program that meets the needs of your district.