Mentoring Novice Teachers: Fostering a Dialogue Process

Formerly a SkyLight publication

Student teachers and beginning teachers have the most to learn. A mentor′s insight, vision, and guidance may make the difference between an invested lifelong educator and an overwhelmed teaching refugee.

Mentoring Novice Teachers: Fostering a Dialogue Process  helps prepare teachers for the important task of mentoring. With suggestions on how to build trust and open lines of communication, it provides:

• Strategies for dealing with the diverse needs of protégés
• New ways for developing action plans
• Methods for evaluating personal growth

Debra Eckerman Pitton is an Associate Professor of Education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, where she teaches middle school and secondary methods courses, and supervises student teachers. In addition, she conducts mentor training workshops for school districts across the country, and regularly presents at conferences. She has taught language arts at the middle school and high school levels, and interpersonal and group communication at the community college level. She has also served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and learning.