MENTORING PROGRAM

Teacher and Administrator Mentoring Background

Why Oregon Needs a Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program

In Oregon, 37 percent of teachers leave the profession within the first five years.
Losing teachers costs local districts $40 million a year and impacts student learning.
A majority of teachers in Oregon are over 45 and nearing retirement.
Getting and keeping good teachers should be a top priority for Oregon.

2009/2010 Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program

New teachers and administrators will continue to receive high-quality mentoring through Oregon's Mentor Program. The program was renewed at a $5.07 million level by the 2009 Legislature.

The Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program History

At the request of the Chalkboard Project and Stand for Children legislative champions Representative Roblan and Senators Devlin, Starr, Johnson and Walker proposed legislation in 2007. These groups, along with the Oregon Department of Education, ESDs, the Oregon Education Association, Higher Education, the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), education associations, teachers, administrators, and community members worked together to advocate for a teacher and administrator mentoring program.

Legislation was signed into law on July 31, 2007. The legislation established Oregon’s Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program designed to support beginning educators through a mentorship program. The programs develop the leadership and teaching skills necessary to become confident and competent professional educators who make a positive impact on student learning.

Mentoring programs were selected through a statewide request for proposal review process. Mentoring programs in regions throughout Oregon were selected and carry out the program locally through mentor training classes.