Bridging Policy Gaps through Re-envisioning Mentorship: Supporting Rural and Remote Early Career Teachers (Poster 15)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 7:45 am
  In Poster Session: Mentoring, Induction, Novice Teacher Support, and Mental Health

Abstract

Mentoring can help early career teachers (ECTs) succeed and remain in the profession through confidence-building, emotional support, and instructional guidance. External mentorship programs can be a lifeline for ECTs in rural and remote schools, who would otherwise face additional challenges alone, including isolation, harsh weather, resource constraints, and limited staff capacity. ECTs’ schools often lack sufficient funding and experienced local teachers to employ their own mentors. Moreover, when schools address staffing shortages by hiring emergency certified teachers, mentors can address knowledge gaps arising from accelerating these teachers’ preparation. In this paper, we identify how evidence-based external mentorship and education policy changes can jointly address the needs of rural and remote schools in Alaska and Montana.

Authors

• Darriya Starr, RTI International

• McCaila Ingold-Smith, RTI International

• Guillermo Dominguez, RTI International

• Cheyane Mitchell, RTI International

• Katherine McKnight, RTI International