"Teachers who are caring, qualified, and from a variety of cultures and communities bring their own unique experiences to the classroom to engage students,” said Commissioner Willie Jett. “Learning best practices from experienced teachers gives new educators a support structure and sounding board as they begin their careers and grow into the teacher leaders of the future." 

Teacher mentorship and retention programs are especially important for supporting educators in groups that have historically left the profession at higher rates. Educators in groups including teachers of color, teachers who are American Indian, teachers in license shortage areas, teaching residents, and experienced teachers in need of peer coaching leave the profession at higher rates because they may face isolation, bias, larger or more complex workloads, and limited informal support. Mentorships can help them navigate these challenges.