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

• 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 guidance on instruction. External mentorship programs can be a lifeline for rural and remote schools’ ECTs, who would otherwise face additional challenges alone, including as isolation, harsh weather, limited resources, and limited staff capacity. Their schools often lack funding and experienced, local teachers to employ their own mentors. Moreover, as these schools address staffing shortages by hiring emergency certified teachers, mentors can address knowledge gaps arising from expediting these teachers’ preparation. In this paper, we identify how evidence-based external mentorship and education policy changes can jointly address the needs of Alaska and Montana’s rural and remote schools.

Authors

• Darriya Starr, RTI International

• McCaila Ingold-Smith, RTI International

• Guillermo Dominguez, RTI International

• Cheyane Mitchell, RTI International

• Katherine McKnight, RTI International