Mentoring New Special Education Teachers by Duffy, Mary Lou; Forgan, James W.;

Short description:

How do you avoid the high cost of turnover and retain high-quality special education teachers in such a demanding field? 



Special education teachers are leaving the field at twice the rate of general education teachers. Why? Mentoring New Special Education Teachers will help administrators and other educators develop and sustain effective mentoring programs specifically designed for special education teachers, providing practical, field-tested activities and resources for both the mentors and the mentees, including such critical elements as:

• Effectively identifying, recruiting, and selecting mentors


• Action planning


• Evaluating progress


• Addressing diminishing support


• Dealing with burnout and isolation


• Vignettes of real-life mentoring experiences


• Figures, tables, appendices, and Web sites


• A ready-to-use two-day workshop for training mentors

Long description:

How do you avoid the high cost of turnover and retain high-quality special education teachers in such a demanding field?

Surveys show that 98% of school districts are reporting shortages of special education teachers, and that nearly a quarter of a million new special education teachers will be needed over the next few years. Special education teachers are leaving the field at twice the rate of general education teachers. Why?

Special education teachers can quickly become overwhelmed by the myriad of responsibilities in their jobs-managing IEPs, alternative assessments, paraprofessionals, assistive technologies, complex legislation and paperwork, and the physical and emotional toll of such individualized instruction.

Mentoring New Special Education Teachers will help administrators and other educators develop and sustain effective mentoring programs specifically designed for special education teachers, providing practical, field-tested activities and resources for both the mentors and the mentees, including such critical elements as:

• Effectively identifying, recruiting, and selecting mentors
• Action planning
• Evaluating progress
• Addressing diminishing support
• Dealing with burnout and isolation
• Vignettes of real-life mentoring experiences
• Figures, tables, appendices, Web sites
• A ready-to-use two-day workshop for training mentors

Real-life vignettes and "What If" questions weave throughout the book, and trouble-shooting appendices direct you to additional Web sites and resources for further help. Mentoring New Special Education Teachers provides everything you need to effectively support and mentor your special education teachers, increase their job satisfaction, and keep your retention rates high!

Table of Contents:

Introduction: Overview
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. New Special Education Teachers
Vignette
Who Are New Special Education Teachers?
Where They Come From
What New Special Education Teachers Need
Supports ESE Mentors Can Provide Mentees
Fears and Anxieties of New Teachers
School Administrator's Role
Assignment of New Teachers
What If?
References
2. Supports for Special Education Teachers
Vignette
Uniqueness of Special Education
Special Education Processes
Professional Issues
What If?
References
3. Designing Mentoring Programs
Vignette
Critical Elements for Designing Effective Mentoring Programs
Roles and Responsibilities of the Mentor and Mentee
Roles and Responsibilities of the School Administrator
Mentor Selection
Mentor Training
E-Mentoring
Mentoring Activities Calendar
Action Planning
Funding Mentoring Programs
What If?
Online Resources for Designing Mentoring Programs
References
4. Becoming a Mentor
Vignette
Who Should Be a Mentor?
What Do Mentors Do?
What Do Mentors Do When the Mentoring Relationship Isn't Working?
What Do Mentors Gain From the Experience?
What If?
References
5. Effective Communication Skills
Vignette
Effective Communication Skills
Observing and Coaching
Teaming: Working With Others Effectively
Problem Solving
What If?
References
6. Learning About Adult Learners
Vignette
Working With Adults
Adult Learning Theory
Styles of Learning/Personality Types
What If?
References
Resource A: Action Plans
Resource B: CEC Standards and Mentoring Resources
Resource C: Professional Resources
Resource D: Mentor Workshop
Resource E: Timeline for Mentoring Activities
Index