Comprehensive Mentoring Programs for New Teachers

Susan Villani has been training teachers and administrators to become more effective instructors and leaders for over 30 years. A member of WestEd's Learning Innovations, Villani specializes in consulting and professional development in the area of mentoring and induction programs for new teachers and principals, and collaborative coaching training for math and literacy coaches, as well as mentors. Villani has worked with thousands of new and experienced teachers and administrators who have reported improvement in their practice and heightened job satisfaction, resulting in improved academic performance of tens of thousands of students. Villani chaired the Teacher Quality Initiative of the New York Comprehensive Center. Also, as coordinator for Project ACROSS (Alternative Certification Route with On-going Support Systems), Villani has worked with over 100 New Hampshire teachers seeking alternative certification and with their mentors. She also worked with district educators through two technology support teacher centers that enhance teacher effectiveness for New Hampshire teachers. Villani consulted with and provided professional development for Maine educators to design and implement a statewide new-teacher mentoring program linked to the new Maine Teaching Standards. In collaboration with the New York State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, she helped districts and other service providers meet the new state law requiring mentoring programs for new teachers. Such work helps increase teacher retention and quality. Villani also works with school principals and district administrators throughout the East Coast to help them enrich their practice and heighten their effectiveness with faculty and staff. Embedded in all of Villani's work is a commitment to help all educators be culturally proficient, thereby being sensitive to and addressing the needs of all students and their families, as well as school and consulting staff. Villani is the author of Are You Sure You're the Principal? Guiding New and Aspiring Leaders, and Mentoring and Induction Programs That Support New Principals. In 2007, Villani coauthored, with Kathy Dunne, Mentoring New Teachers Through Collaborative Coaching: Linking Teacher and Student Learning and the accompanying facilitation and training guide. Villani frequently presents at national and regional conferences. Prior to joining WestEd in 2000, Villani was a school principal for 21 years and served as an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University for more than 10 years. She received a BA in business administration from Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, S.U.N.Y. at Binghamton, an MEd in elementary education from Tufts University, and an EdD in educational administration from Northeastern University.

Foreword by Charlotte Danielson Preface Part I. Supporting New Teachers to Accelerate Their Effectiveness and Keep Them in the Profession 1. Addressing the Needs of New Teachers and Supporting Their Learning Major Causes of the Shortage of Teachers Impact of High Teacher Turnover on Students Financial Cost of High Teacher Turnover Induction and Mentoring Programs Improve Teacher Retention Defining Induction, Mentoring, and Comprehensive Mentoring Programs The Needs of New Teachers Five Phases Experienced by First-Year Teachers 2. A Closer Look at Mentoring Mentors: Supporters, Guides, and Sometimes Reformers The Mentor's Role Ways Mentors Support New Teachers Mentor Preparation Stages of Mentor Growth Professional Development That Addresses the Varied Needs of New Teachers Benefits of Comprehensive Mentoring Programs to the Entire School Community 3. Factors to Consider While Thinking About Program Development Goals Funding Roles of Shareholders Mentors Principals School Staff Coordinators/Steering Committee Collaboration Inside and Outside New Teacher Evaluation and Confidentiality Part II. Charts of Program Highlights, Commentary, and Program Descriptions 4. District Programs Glendale, AZ Oconee, GA Muscatine, IA Dover-Sherborn, MA Vicksburg Community Schools, MI Saint Paul, MN Rochester City, NY Columbus, OH 5. State Programs California - BTSA- Stockton Unified School District Connecticut - BEST- North Haven High School State of New Jersey 6. Regional or National Efforts to Specifically Support New Mathematics and Science Teachers EDC eMSS NNECN 7. District and University Programs That Support New Special Education Teachers Fairfax County - Great Beginnings Special School District, St. Louis University of Hawaii 8. Collaboration Between Three Institutions to Support New Teachers Georgia State and NCTAF Part III. Now What? 9. Developing a Comprehensive Mentoring Program Appendices Bibliography Index

"This book provides various models of comprehensive programs implemented in school districts around the country. It confirms the importance of mentoring to retain teachers, maintain consistency in academic programming, and develop a culture of continuous improvement in professional practice. This book is a significant addition to the literature on mentoring in the education profession." -- Gail Connelly, Executive Director "Susan Villani presents comprehensive mentoring programs as catalysts for school improvement and reflective practice. With a wealth of tools and models for establishing effective programs, Villani also addresses cultural competence, peer coaching, and retention of math, science, and special education teachers. Following Villani's framework will strengthen professional learning communities and improve the effectiveness of our most valuable resource-teachers." -- Mary Forte Hayes, Executive Director "Susan Villani has done an excellent job of highlighting the key aspects of a comprehensive induction program. We spend billions of dollars on recruitment and then offer new teachers a sink-or-swim experience. Villani makes a convincing case for comprehensive induction programs and offers rich examples across urban, rural, and suburban settings. This is a practical guide that offers a solid background on the latest research findings. The nation's new teachers deserve the best instructional programs to accelerate their development." -- Ellen Moir, Executive Director "State-level policy makers can take a positive step forward by providing every district and school principal with a copy of this expertly organized and well-written book. Educators will find answers to most of their key questions regarding establishing an induction and mentoring program." -- Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director