Mentorship of Special Educators
- Jennifer Booker Madigan
- Georganne Schroth-Cavataio - Santa Cruz City Schools, CA
The definitive guide for mentoring special education teachers
The national shortage and exceptionally high attrition rate of special education teachers are impediments to serving students with special needs. Given that only 64 percent of special education teachers have access to a mentor compared with 86 percent of general education teachers, this book meets an essential need for attracting, retaining, and supporting special educators. The authors provide a wealth of research-based tools for professional developers to use in multiple settings, including schools with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Topics covered include:
- RTI and positive behavior support
- Planning and conducting IEP meetings
- Assuming emerging responsibilities in today's inclusive schools
- Mentoring strategies specific to special educators' needs
- Differentiation of instruction and classroom organization
- Working with paraprofessionals
- Collaboration with parents and professionals
Centered on a toolkit of planners, templates, checklists, and case studies, Mentorship of Special Educators is a step-by-step guide for mentoring teachers of students with special needs. Each chapter provides specific activities designed to facilitate understanding of a key topic in special education. This resource is full of helpful devices that teachers and mentors can use to advance learning for all students.
"Mentorship of Special Educators allows the mentor another lens for helping the novice develop the critical skills for cultural responsiveness that all teachers must address within their classrooms.”
"As mentors, we are called to build
accomplished teachers, not just keep the teachers we have. Mentorship of Special Educators provides mentors the the tools and strategies
needed to be more than a “buddy” to beginning teachers and to help build
accomplished special educators along the way."
"Mentoring and supporting beginning educators is crucial to accelerate the professional development of those newest to our profession. Teaching is hard work and we must rely on the expertise and wisdom of those who do it well! This book will jump start those conversations necessary to link improved professional practice with positive student outcomes."
"Most of the low performing schools and districts I work with serve large percentages of English language learners and special needs students. It is imperative that highly qualified special education and mainstream teachers work collaboratively to build success for their students. Mentorship of Special Educators is a wonderful tool. In particular, the chapters on Collaboration With Paraprofessionals and Collaboration with Professionals are very important. The activities and case studies throughout all chapters are excellent."
