Preparing for the first day of school can be challenging, especially with the added stress of starting the semester at a new school. Mentor programs for new teachers and seasoned teachers are becoming more popular in an effort to keep good teachers in the classroom, but they are not yet present in all schools. It is possible to mentor a new faculty member even if the school does not sponsor an official mentor program by remembering the importance of communication and realizing what a new teacher to the district would need to know.
Communication is Important
Whether assigned through a specific school program or being pursued individually, a mentor needs to communicate frequently with their mentee. Though it can be accomplished through face-to-face formal and informal meetings even email and phone calls can be effective, especially if in a large school.
Communication also needs to be more than a simple greeting or inquiry about how things are going. Preparing questions in advance, putting together information about standard school events and being ready to provide insight into occurrences that may seem routine will help the mentee become more comfortable with the school’s environment.
Set a specific day of the week to meet. Some new teachers might want to meet in a specific classroom or area of the school, such as the teacher’s room or library. Others might want to meet outside of school for coffee and an informal chat. Be ready to work within his or her comfort zone to provide the support the new teacher needs.
What a New Teacher Needs to Know
Each new teacher will need to receive advice and support in a variety of areas that are unique to his or her previous experiences. Some might need a sounding board for classroom management ideas or knowledge of services available for supporting curriculum or the needs of students. Others might already be veteran teachers and need someone to support them while they adjust to the school’s environment.
Even experienced teachers need to adjust to the unique culture and climate of the school. Everything from special events to student expectations can vary between schools, so having someone to explain what is expected and limit the number of surprises can reduce the stress of changing schools and help the new teacher acclimate quickly.
Mentoring a new teacher involves more than being a friendly face in the hallway or teachers’ room. Incoming faculty need to have someone they know they can turn to for quick answers to school questions and who is willing to communicate about issues that arise during their acclimation to the school’s culture.
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