Culturally Responsive Induction and Mentoring for Beginning Special Education Teachers

Discover a program boosting Special Education teacher retention and student learning through intensive, culturally responsive mentoring and professional development. This session highlights how mentorship and leadership build a thriving induction and mentoring system, offering immediate, actionable strategies.Participants will be able to: 1. Identify key components of a comprehensive Induction and Mentoring (I&M) program that accelerates Special Education teacher effectiveness and improves retention, particularly by addressing the unique needs of diverse demographics and cultures. 2. Implement or adapt culturally relevant engagement strategies, such as the demonstrated opening circles, to create a more inclusive and supportive professional learning environment for all Special Education Mentors and Beginning Teachers. 3. Utilize insights from statewide longitudinal data on Special Education teacher retention and structured planning tools to reflect upon and strategically enhance their existing I&M programs to ensure consistent growth opportunities and improve teacher retention.