1	Mentoring and Supporting New Teachers IAIE 2004 Fall Conference Dr. Michael C. Ross and Diana Poore Kennesaw State University
2	What is Project RESPECT? Retired-Educators-Supporting-Professional- Excellence-in-Classroom-Teaching
3	Why Mentors Work? Research suggests that the most crucial stage of becoming a teacher occurs during the transition from student to student teacher to novice teacher (Odell & Ferraro, 1992)
4	Research on Mentoring Reduces the high attrition rates Odell and Ferraro (1992, 2000). Preservice and novice teachers are more likely to develop into effective classroom teachers. 95% of new teachers who experience support during their initial years remain in teaching after their 3rd year Wilkinson (1990). Mentors eases pressure and affords novice teachers an easier transition into their profession (Chapman, 1984). Mentoring helps novice teachers to be more likely to be able to provide effective teaching for their students (Smithey,2000).
5	Project RESPECT’s Vision and Mission Vision Statement To build an intergenerational network of retired teachers and student teachers that will support and promote mutual respect. Mission Statement To facilitate the application of retired educator’s knowledge, skill, resources, and experience in the professional development of teachers in training
6	Project RESPECT Goals To mentor prospective teachers To foster professional educational relationships To provide assistance to preservice and novice teachers with curriculum development, behavior management and other areas of teaching To provide workshops and seminars using the expertise of retired teachers
7	Project RESPECT Provides: Lesson planning Curriculum concerns Classroom Management Teaching skills First year teacher tips Bulletin boards Learning Centers Crisis Intervention
8	"Mentors may assist in any..." Mentors may assist in any of the following ways: Serving as a personal mentor for an extended period of time, or helping with one-time crisis calls as needed Participate in a speaker’s bureau for the Bagwell College of Education and speak to classes on topics relating to your area(s) of expertise Develop and present workshops individually or in teams to education students and teachers
9	Problems and Pitfalls Lack of Communication between Mentor and Mentee Mentor program started too early in student’s program Not enough full-time staff to monitor program Lack of money to support program Not enough mentors for early childhood students
10	Future of Project RESPECT Work with mentors to monitor program Begin working with mentees in their field experience Require communication of at least 4 contacts per semester
11	Starting a Project RESPECT Program Retired educators must connect with a university Solicit retired educators as mentors through retired educator programs Must have at least one full time staff person or a very dedicated retired educator to help support the program Must do qualitative and quantitative evaluations for feedback Secure monies to support program
12	Can you answer these questions? Students may ask: I have a third grade class and I can’t get the students to do their homework, what do I do? I have lost control of my fifth grade class. What kind of suggestions can you give me? I am teaching seventh grade language arts, how can you grade all of the essays and still find time to sleep?