While barriers exist for all new teachers, those entering K-12 education systems in rural communities face unique challenges that often hinder their professional development and job satisfaction.
Challenges like geographic isolation, poor compensation and ambiguous school leadership structures can cause frustration for new teachers – particularly those providing special education services – and make it difficult for rural schools and districts to keep them from leaving the field.
A recent article from the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders (CGTL) focused on challenges faced by new teachers in rural settings, but also highlighted a solution: Implementing mentorship and induction programs designed specifically to support them.
“Research suggests rural schools should put strong mentorship and induction programs in place to combat teacher shortages,” said Pam Brezenski, project manager for Get SET Nebraska. “Our program provides all Nebraska schools and districts with a comprehensive mentoring and professional development program based on evidenced-based practices, and is specifically designed to address challenges associated with teacher retention.”
Read on to learn more about challenges facing rural teachers, specifically those serving students with special needs, and how Get SET Nebraska can help address them.
Five challenges facing rural schools and how Get SET Nebraska can help.
- Qualified teacher mentors in rural settings often are not available or qualified to support mentoring.
Get SET Nebraska recognizes that a professional special education mentor may not be available within all districts. Through the program’s matching process, administrators receive options to support teachers the way they need it. Administrators are supported in the process of assigning a professional special education mentor from outside their building, if needed. Support is provided in this process. - Rural teachers often are asked to work across multiple domains and may not have had access to pre-service or professional development related to their job focus.
Get SET Nebraska provides tailored support to new special education teachers. An individualized learning plan is created to help special education teachers focus on their specific caseload needs each quarter. A mentor guides the new teacher through a self-evaluation using High-Leverage Practices in Special Education, then matches skill-building supports based on where they need it most. - Teachers from historically marginalized backgrounds often find it more difficult to find a good mentor match and may struggle to share their concerns related to equity.
The Get SET Nebraska program will be available to all schools and districts in the state by 2024-25 academic year. Weekly mentor meetings include problem-solving and decision-making discussions with the teacher to address concerns. Elements of equity and social justice are encouraged to be openly discussed by the team. - Many rural teachers feel professionally isolated because they are the only teacher in their specialty area within the school.
Phase 1 of the Get SET Nebraska program leads teams through robust orientation activities to introduce them to their mentor, colleagues, school policies and special education policies. Teams work together to develop a resource binder with information designed to empower the new teacher. In Phase 2, teams schedule weekly meetings to increase the teacher’s sense of connection with colleagues and reduce isolation. Administrators join monthly induction meetings to engage with the team and build support systems. - Rural schools often provide fewer opportunities for teacher leadership and interaction.
The Get SET Nebraska program prioritizes the empowerment of new special education teachers, while supporting and encouraging professional mentors to serve as leaders in their schools. Retention in this area is addressed for both new teachers and professional-level teachers.
Additional resource
To learn more about the challenges facing rural teachers, check out the CTGL blog, “10 Mentoring and Induction Challenges in Rural Schools and How to Address Them.”
Interested?
Please reach out if you would like to learn more ways to support and empower special education teachers with Get SET Nebraska.
Pamela Brezenski, EdD
Project Manager, Get SET Nebraska
pbrezenski@esu13.org
701-578-5704