Online Mentoring for In-Service Spanish Teachers: Enhancing Proficiency and Practice

• In Event: 29.082 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.082-5 - Developing Language Proficiency in Multilingual Settings

Abstract

Effective mentoring programs among educators have been associated with increased job satisfaction (Ingersoll & Smith, 2004), effective classroom management (Evertson & Smithey) and increased student achievement (Fletcher & Strong, 2009). Mentoring is also an effective form of professional development, which is particularly important among Spanish teachers, who must improve their instructional practices along with the maintenance of their foreign language proficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to report the results of a unique online mentoring program in which inservice Spanish teachers assumed the roles of mentors or mentees to enhance their content knowledge, language proficiency and pedagogy. The following paper will provide a brief overview of the study, relevant findings and suggestions for future areas of related inquiry.

Author

• Chris J Jochum, Fort Hays State University