What Successful Mentors Do

Cathy D. Hicks - San Dieguito Union High School District, California
Neal A. Glasgow - San Dieguito Union High School District, California
Sarah J. McNary - San Dieguito Union High School District, California

Other Titles in:
Mentoring | Staff Supervision/Evaluation/Retention

January 2005 | 224 pages | Corwin

`There is no 'one size fits all' professional development. Teaching is exciting and rewarding, but it is like pro football in that on any given day most anything may work, while on other days nothing seems to work. But you still need to keep on playing your best. Good mentors help keep good teachers playing at their very best. . . . As the authors so aptly suggest, good teaching is more a journey than a destination. This book will help both mentors and teachers to navigate this journey successfully' - Stephen Sroka, Health Education Consultant , Case Western Reserve University

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this book synthesizes current educational research and extends its application to in-service settings. Using a consistent and reader-friendly format, the authors present specific mentoring strategies accompanied by summaries of the research background validating the strategies, mentoring applications for the strategies, precautions and pitfalls helpful for implementation, and source citations for further reference. Strategies are organized into convenient categories that include developing teaching styles; time management strategies; classroom management policies; managing curriculum, instruction, and assessment; working with at-risk, special needs, and diverse populations; working with educational technologies; interacting with students, parents, and community; and more.

Don Rizzi

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Mentoring Process Is a Journey, Not a Destination

1. Choosing the Best Strategies for Supporting New Teachers

2. Supporting New Teachers as They Interact and Collaborate With Students

3. Supporting New Teachers as They Organize Classroom Management and Discipline Policies

4. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop Strategies for Managing Curriculum and Pedagogy

5. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop, Use, and Evaluate Student Assessment Instruments

6. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop Personal Teaching Styles and Time Management Strategies

7. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop a Variety of Strategies for Helping At-Risk and Special Needs Students Succeed

8. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop Strategies for Embracing and Celebrating Diversity

9. Supporting New Teachers As They Develop Strategies for Working With New Technologies

10. Supporting New Teachers as They Develop Positive Relationships With Parents and Community

Index

"here is no ‘one size fits all’ professional development. Teaching is exciting and rewarding, but it is like pro football in that on any given day most anything may work, while on other days nothing seems to work. But you still need to keep on playing your best. Good mentors help keep good teachers playing at their very best. . . . As the authors so aptly suggest, good teaching is more a journey than a destination. This book will help both mentors and teachers to navigate this journey successfully."

Stephen Sroka, Health Education Consultant

Case Western Reserve University

"What a great book to provide for all veteran teachers so that when we are chatting in the lunchroom and a ‘new’ teacher shares a dilemma, anyone on staff can chime in with advice, backed by research and experience."

Diane Mierzwik, Teacher and Mentor

Parkview Middle School, Yucaipa, CA

"Provides a wide range of practical suggestions for mentors that are based on current research and that can be ‘harvested’ whenever needed. The ‘Precautions and Possible Pitfalls’ sections serve as a welcome safety net, helping mentors to proactively examine and strategize solutions for anticipated challenges. The ‘Sources’ sections are particularly helpful in offering additional readings for those mentors who are interested in going deeper into a topic. What Successful Mentors Do is easy to use, linked to best practices, and is certain to be an invaluable resource for new and returning mentors."

Theresa Ford, Developer/Consultant

Educational Testing Service, Downey, CA