General Information on Successful Mentoring by MERN

General Information on Mentoring

Statistics:
• “Teachers new to the profession are more likely to leave than their more experienced counterparts.” – Is There Really a Teacher Shortage? By Richard Ingersoll

• According to the National Education Association, in urban districts, 50 percent of newcomers leave the profession within their first five years.

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 88 percent of new teachers involved in mentoring programs that meet once a week report substantial improvement to their instructional skills.

Characteristics of Successful Mentors
• Experienced and successful individuals in their fields
• Able to understand and accept problems protégés are experiencing
• Show empathy

Characteristics of Successful Mentoring Programs
• Mentor programs fit within the mission and goals of the parent organization
• Programs and mentors have firm understanding of the needs of the target market on a macro- and micro-level through needs assessment analysis
• The mentor program will check regularly with mentors and protégés to ensure that the needs of protégés are being met
• Weekly or semi-monthly sessions between protégés and mentors

Protégé Possibilities
– Classroom management
– Classroom organization
– Timelines for tasks
– Rehearsal techniques
– Pedagogical knowledge and skills
– Instruments and equipment
– Paperwork (TAKS testing, purchase requisitions, tardy slips, report cards, etc…)
– Cooperating with parents and administration
– Fundraising
– Coordination of private lessons
– Recruitment
– Content, repertoire, programming
– Concert preparation
– UIL organization and preparation
– Campus and community involvement
– Parental contact
– Dealing with stress

Objectives for Music Education Resource Network (MERN) to be Successful
• Semi-annual updated list of active music educators obtained from region chairs and school districts to update database of new music educators

• Mentors and affiliates proactively contact new music educators

• Mentors provide developmental assistance to young educators

• The Foundation for Music Education will periodically check up on new music educators utilizing MERN to see that their goals are being accomplished with the help of their mentor

• Each mentor helps to prioritize their protégé’s ambitions and provide direction to achieve goals

• End-of-semester analysis from mentors and protégés regarding effectiveness of program and areas for
improvements