Mentoring/Coaching

Providing new teachers with experienced, well-educated and trained mentors can provide them with encouragement, real-life teaching techniques and resources to insure their retention in the field and their desire to learn more. Because of high turnover within an early childhood setting may be new to teaching. Initially, many will not have the knowledge or skills they need to be effective prekindergarten teachers. A mentor teacher can model best practice, has the desired educational background and is trained in how to support new teachers, so she can be an effective tool to help new teachers want to learn more and stay (Excerpt from: Preparing Highly Qualified Prekindergarten Teachers Symposium, April 2002, Sue Russell, Child Care Services Association).