Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Paul Terry
Committee Member
Ronald Newell
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
applied dissertation, beginning teachers, classroom management, coaching, collaborative problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, effective feedback strategies, high schools, induction programs, lesson plans, mentor teachers, mentoring, monthly meetings, nonevaluative supervision, professional opportunities, protégés, rural communities, school districts, secondary schools, South Georgia, teacher attrition, teacher induction, teacher performance, teacher retention, teacher training, teaching skills, veteran teachers
Abstract
Teacher attrition is a critical issue. The literature suggests that schools provide professional opportunities for master teachers to mentor new teachers through the use of well-designed induction or mentor programs. These opportunities develop teaching skills, improve teaching performance, and increase teacher retention.
This applied dissertation was designed to improve teacher retention at a high school located in a rural community in South Georgia. A mentoring program was developed and implemented at a high school. The program provided training to select mentors that included nonevaluative supervision, coaching, conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving, communication, and effective feedback strategies.
Mentor teachers and protégés were paired according to their perspective subject areas. Monthly meetings were held with the mentors and protégés. Modules that dealt with classroom management and the development of lesson plans were presented and discussed. All participants served as presenters of the modules. This program afforded experienced teachers and beginning teachers the opportunity to work side by side in an attempt to reduce teacher attrition and improve teaching performance.
An analysis of the data revealed major benefits as a result of the mentoring program for the beginning teacher, the veteran teacher, and ultimately the school district.