Balancing Two Worlds: Culture and Its Role in the Mentoring Process

• In Event: 53.081 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 53.081-1 - Cultural Considerations for Mentoring Practices

Abstract

Low performing, urban schools located in lower socio-economic areas often experience rapid turnover rates among teachers. Yet, it is in these schools that many of our novice teachers are placed. Research highlights the importance of new teacher support sustained over time as an integral component of teacher retention, effectiveness, and ultimately student achievement. Successful novice teachers require mentors who can assist them with successfully navigating the school arena (Ingersoll and Smith, 2004). Mentors may, at times, give attention to cultural and linguistic differences within the student population, but they may give no attention whatsoever to the culture of the novice teacher. This narrative examines how cultural nuances inflect and affect the clarity and effectiveness of the mentor.

Author

• Giancarlo Mercado, Los Angeles Unified School District