Mentoring program supports new Berryville teachers

Creating a solid on-site mentorship program is to strengthen the culture of a school district. Teachers need to know that school leaders and other staff members have their best interests in mind and that a strong support system is in place that will increase success.

The Berryville School District has implemented a new teacher mentoring program, Teachers Engaged in Active Mentoring (TEAM), as a way of providing initial and ongoing professional support to new hires. First-year teachers will complete three years of mentoring. Teachers with experience, but new to Berryville, complete one year.

Mentees were paired with mentors last summer based on criteria that was established by the district leadership team, consisting of principals, central office administrators and Superintendent Owen Powell.

“We know the role of ‘mentor’ is very important,” Powell said. “We took a lot of time discussing the qualities of a great mentor and educator and listed those. The principals did some research on it, and we created one list to use as a guide. After the hires were made, mentors were chosen based on that list of criteria and the leadership team did a really good job of selecting those people. I am pleased with the mentors we have working with the new employees.”

Mentors and mentees spend a minimum of 15 hours outside of the workday collaborating about lesson planning, managing student behavior and other individual teacher issues that may arise.

Additionally, Powell and Dr. Tammi Davis, director of curriculum for the school district, bring the mentees together throughout the academic year. New teachers utilize this time to celebrate success and to discuss any challenges they are facing.

“I enjoy our meetings,” first-year teacher Laken Whorton said. “It is good to know that I am not alone in some of the issues I am dealing with in my classroom and as a new teacher. I feel supported and valued here and I appreciate that.”

Adam Brannon is new to the district, but in his third year of teaching. As a new teacher to the district, Brannon is part of the TEAM program as well.

“Having worked in another school, I can tell you that I am supported in Berryville as a new employee,” Brannon said. “My principal is approachable, my mentor is always there to help me, and knowing I have people around that really want to help, it means a lot.”

The district looks forward to continuing and improving the TEAM program in the future.

“One of our goals is to recruit and retain the best possible educators that we possibly can, and we believe TEAM will be a big part of reaching that goal,” Davis said. “I am passionate about school culture and creating a positive environment for employees. An important piece of that is the way we support our people, whether that be educators who are straight out of college, or new to the district.

“It doesn’t matter where they are in terms of experience, the fact is, they all need varying levels of guidance; most importantly, they all need to feel welcomed and valued — we all do. That is exactly the reason we established the TEAM program this year. It’s been awesome so far and we have received a ton of positive feedback.”

Berryville is currently serving 23 new employees through TEAM.