DOE programs aim to support new teachers, improve retention

The first two years of a teacher’s career can be a stressful and intense period. Loosed from the structure of student teaching, freshly certified teachers must make their way through a minefield of trial and error situations: classroom management, communication with parents, relationships with other teachers and administration, curriculum development and execution, and, most importantly, finding the best practices for instruction that fit the teacher and the class.

One of the best ways to combat these stressors is for teachers in those first two years to have an experienced teacher-mentor who can listen to, observe, support, and advise the new teacher. To that end, the Department of Education (DOE) developed the South Dakota Statewide Mentoring Program.

Statewide Mentoring Program

The program is a great fit for any teacher in their first two years of teaching, said Amanda Hargreaves, a teacher quality specialist with the DOE. “The mentoring program provides first-year teachers access to a veteran teacher who offers support, encouragement, and experience throughout those critical first two years of teaching,” Hargreaves said.

To successfully complete the program, new teachers must spend a minimum of 45 hours each year working with the program: at least 30 hours must be spent with the mentor, while another nine hours are spent at a Summer Academy hosted by the DOE. The program also includes a kickoff event and two webinars.

The most important part of a good mentoring program is high quality mentors. Teachers who have had at least five years’ experience in the classroom, and who enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with others in their field, are encouraged to apply to be a mentor. If accepted into the program, mentors will receive a $1,500 stipend for each year of the program; those who mentor more than one new teacher are eligible for more compensation.

“It is during the first few years of teaching that we see the highest percentage of people leave the profession,” said Secretary of Education Joe Graves. “This is where the mentor comes in – the research and our own data on mentoring strongly indicate that having someone seek advice from, and yes, commiserate with, can make the difference between an early exit from the field and a long, productive, happy career in education.”

Good to Great Teachers Program

After new teachers have completed the first two years of teaching, the DOE has another program for those hoping to hone their skills in three crucial areas of effective teaching: communication, classroom management, and student engagement. While the Statewide Mentoring Program is a one-to-one program for teachers and their mentors, Good to Great is run as a cohort group.

“The Good to Great Program is aimed at empowering teachers in years three to five of their career by improving their practice and fostering self-efficacy in a community of educators,” said Hargreaves. “Experienced educators guide small cohorts of participants through reflective practices to increase confidence in three key areas.”

Apply now

Teachers who are interested in being a part of the Statewide Mentoring Program can learn more and apply on the DOE’s mentoring webpage. Those interested in being a part of the Good to Great cohort can visit the Good to Great Teachers page on DOE’s website.