New teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate, with mathematics and science teachers particularly at risk. Over the years, support programs, called teacher mentoring programs, were established to decrease the attrition of these new teachers. P.S. 6 High School adopted a teacher mentoring program in conjunction with the local teachers union to decrease the attrition of new teachers in the building. The unique element of this program is the role of the Teacher Mentoring Coordinator, who teaches a reduced load and spends the remaining time working with new and non-tenured teachers on classroom management, the development of pedagogical content knowledge and all other classroom and instructional issues. Six new teachers, experience ranging from six months to five years, were studied over a school year. Classroom observations and interviews were the primary data sources, though archival data was obtained from prior experiences in the Teacher Mentoring Program. The data was analyzed over four primary themes: the Teacher Mentoring Program and its elements, teacher mentoring and pedagogical content knowledge, teacher learning and the impact the Teacher Mentoring Program has on the school community.

This practical guide helps mentors of new science teachers in both developing their own mentoring skills and providing the essential guidance their trainees need as they navigate the rollercoaster of the first years in the classroom. Offering tried-and-tested strategies based on the best research, it covers the knowledge, skills and understanding every mentor needs and offers practical tools such as lesson plans and feedback guides, observation sheets and examples of dialogue with trainees. Together with analytical tools for self-evaluation, this book is a vital source of support and inspiration for all those involved in developing the next generation of outstanding science teachers. Key topics explained include: • Roles and responsibilities of mentors • Developing a mentor—mentee relationship • Guiding beginning science teachers through the lesson planning, teaching and self-evaluation processes • Observations and pre- and post-lesson discussions and regular mentoring meetings • Supporting beginning teachers to enhance scientific knowledge and effective pedagogical practices • Building confidence among beginning teachers to cope with pupils’ contingent questions and assess scientific knowledge and skills • Supporting beginning teachers’ planning and teaching to enhance scientific literacy and inquiry among pupils • Developing autonomous science teachers with an attitude to promote the learning of science for all the learners Filled with tried-and-tested strategies based on the latest research, Mentoring Science Teachers in the Secondary School is a vital guide for mentors of science teachers, both trainee and newly qualified, with ready-to-use strategies that support and inspire both mentors and beginning teachers alike.

There were limitations to this study. Five school districts in the state of Florida were used in the study, and the sample of survey and interview participants were limited. Therefore results may not be able to be generalized to other school districts in Florida or other states. Additionally, the objectivity of survey and interview participants may be questioned because the participants were employees of the school district. However, it was assumed that participant's responses to the survey and interview questions were candid. Further research is recommended that would examine variations in school district mentor preparation and selection processes. Further recommendations would include evaluating different mentor models within the same context to better examine the impact of specific components of mentoring programs and considering the effectiveness of the mentee based on not only mentee perception of increased effectiveness, but effectiveness as determined by the school district-adopted evaluation system. Another avenue for future research to broaden and support the findings in this study would be to access whether effective mentoring models differ depending on the context and based on the needs and experiences of the beginning teachers.

The demands of teaching can be overwhelming, especially for those just starting out in the teaching profession. The complexities of balancing the need to teach for depth of mathematical understanding while dealing with the pressure of preparing students for high-stakes testing can be challenging and frustrating. The teaching community recognizes the importance of mentoring and how it can give teachers the support and encouragement they need not only to survive the challenges of teaching mathematics but also to develop as dedicated professionals.

This practical workbook assists school-based mentors of mathematics teachers to develop their mentoring skills, offering mentors the essential guidance needed in order to effectively support trainee or newly qualified secondary mathematics teachers, as well as in their overall career development. Offering tried and tested strategies based on research and evidence, Mentoring Mathematics Teachers in the Secondary School covers the knowledge, skills and understanding every mentor needs and offers practical tools such as lesson plans and feedback sheets, observation sheets, case studies, sample dialogues and other learning activities and exercises. Together with analytical tools for self-evaluation, this book is a vital source of support and inspiration for all those involved in developing the next generation of outstanding mathematics teachers, whether in teacher training or as newly qualified or early-career teachers. Key topics explored include: Roles and responsibilities of mentors within mathematics education, and understanding yourself as a mentor The mentor–mentee relationship, and helping develop a beginning teacher’s identity Supporting specific aspects of beginning mathematics teachers’ knowledge, skills and understanding, including developing reflective practice, lesson planning and mathematical misconceptions Strategies for observation and analysis of lessons, marking, assessment and the use of data Mentoring for long-term career and teacher development Filled with the key tools needed for the mentor’s individual development, Mentoring Mathematics Teachers in the Secondary School offers an accessible and practical guide to mentoring trainee teachers and early-career teachers with ready-to-use strategies that support, inspire and elevate both mentors and teachers alike. This book also includes an online eResource offering downloadable resources and web-based training material.

"These mentoring tools allow me to have a reflective dialogue with teachers about their instruction that is unbiased, nonthreatening, and data driven. I use the tools daily. As my teachers evolve and advance in their practice, so do the tools." —Amber Mieras, District Mentor, Union Elementary School District, Tolleson, AZ "Horn and Metler-Armijo have beautifully captured the reciprocal nature of the mentor and novice teacher relationship and the learning journey that occurs between them. If you are designing a mentor program or if you need to revitalize the program you have, this book will be your primary guide." —Elle Allison, President, Renewal Coaching All the processes, strategies, and tools a mentor needs to support and retain new teachers! Studies show that mentoring programs have a positive impact on the development and retention of new teachers. This field-tested and evidence-based resource is a complete kit that provides everything mentors need to support novice teachers on their journey to becoming confident, effective professionals. Toolkit for Mentor Practice combines a set of diagnostic tools that capture what is happening in a new teacher′s classroom with a mentoring process that guides both mentor and mentee through transformational learning stages. The toolkit features: A three-phase mentoring process that uses data collection and collaborative conversations to improve classroom practices Information-gathering tools that reveal how new teachers interact with students, plan for instruction, design lessons, analyze student work, and differentiate instruction Implementation guidelines that explain how to use each tool with beginning teachers "Tools in Action" examples that illustrate how veteran mentors have used the tools with new teachers This toolkit gives mentors all the forms and processes needed to guide new teachers as they develop and improve their instructional practice.