Article Injecting New Life into New Teacher Induction Programs for Increased Satisfaction, Retention, and Effectiveness Dr. Bobb Darnell
Richard Lange
Education has not been immune to the negative effects of the pandemic. Why are we still doing new teacher mentoring the same way that we’ve done for the past number of years? Challenges in recruiting, hiring, supporting, and retaining teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel have caused serious shortages. Schools have had to be canceled, settle for non-qualified teachers, and pivot to virtual learning and services. It’s no wonder that millions of teachers, students, and parents have had to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing work and learning environment. Schools have gone from face-to-face instruction to virtual instructional delivery to hybrid models, and now mask-to-mask instruction back in the classroom. Each delivery system has its challenges. One thing is for sure, there are growing gaps in student achievement and there is a great need for new teachers. School leaders and teachers are much more aware that bringing the newest teachers into our education communities who are 21 years of age, fresh out of college, and have no teaching experience, is no longer 38
