Page 20 - EdViewptsSpring2019-web
P. 20
Induction Specialists: The Hub of
Multi-Layered Mentoring for New
Teachers
By Jennifer Sharp, Ed.D., Director of Personnel, Freehold Regional High
School District
Education has historically 15% to 50% depending on the setting have taken steps to address this issue
been a profession that has studied (Boogren, 2015; Fullan, 2007; in recent decades through statewide
Ingersoll & Strong, 2011). Perceptions
mandates requiring school districts
experienced a high rate of of isolation and overall lack of admin- to provide formalized induction and
turnover among new staff. istrative support have been shown to mentoring programs, with the goals of
correlate with higher new teacher attri-
minimizing new teacher turnover and
While some turnover is to be expected, tion rates (Boogren, 2015; Ingersoll & ameliorating the challenges of career
too much is disruptive to the orga- Strong, 2011; Smith & Ingersoll, 2004). transition (Ronfeldt & McQueen, 2017).
nization and a detriment to student Specifically, Boogren (2015) asserts Mentoring has been mandated in
educational experiences (Boogren, that without school level support “new New Jersey since 2003, with recent
2015; Smith & Ingersoll, 2004). While teachers can feel isolated and ineffec- updates to regulations in 2014. Any
recent research has placed the national tive and… leave the profession before new teacher hired today in the Garden
new teacher five-year attrition rate at they have a chance to achieve their State can expect to be enrolled in a
46%, the rate has also varied between full potential” (p. 12). Policymakers
Educational Viewpoints -18- Spring 2019