MENTOR– Mentoring and Educating New Teachers

“If I’d only known then what I know now…!”

The mission of MENTOR is three-fold: First, to promote mentoring for the successful induction of beginning teachers; second, to provide training for experienced teachers for positive mentoring relationships; and, third to help new teachers be successful.

Optimistic and committed, they arrive every year – those eager and vulnerable new teachers. Fired by enthusiasm, brimming with dedication, armed with tons of theory (and limited practical experience), they plunge into the grand adventure.

Then reality sets in. Teaching is more difficult than they expected. Students have other things on their minds than learning. Their best efforts – and brightest ideas – do not always work. And they never expected – nor are they totally prepared for – the layers of decisions they have to make!

These realities bring them face-to-face with such issues as where to turn…how to cope…what to do. What many of them do, of course – as the shine wears off and frustrations mount – is leave. You know the numbers: almost half of all new teachers become discouraged and abandon teaching altogether within three to four years! And when they leave, what leaves with them is priceless talent and potential, and arguably, the future of quality education.

Is there a strategy that can help transform an uncertain novice into a confident professional? Indeed, there is.

Introducing MENTOR, a practical – proven – program that enhances the effectiveness of new teachers and also delivers the unexpected benefit of revitalizing the enthusiasm and commitment of your veteran teaching staff.

Since Carolyn Evertson, Ph.D. and Margaret Smithey, Ph.D., established MENTOR in 1991 at Vanderbilt University, over 2000 teachers have attended the mentor workshops in Illinois, Ohio, Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.