What's the best way for schools to keep new teachers from burning out?
by Edutopia Staff
May 23, 2008
Credit: iStockphoto
Five readers answered this question simply by saying "Support, support, and support," while others elaborated on the many forms such support can take: training, encouragement, better pay, and having mentors for multiple years. "Mentoring" was the number-one response, and readers provided practical suggestions for how to make it work, such as releasing veteran teachers from some of their duties so they can mentor younger teachers, paying mentors better, and providing new educators with more opportunities to observe high-quality teaching during the school day.
Other burnout-prevention ideas included having new teachers begin by team teaching with a highly qualified teacher, and not giving entry-level teachers the toughest kids. Still, some of the despair from burnout leaked into answers such as "I wish I knew" and "Just keep out of my way."
What do you think? Weigh in on the results.
Links:
[1] http://www.edutopia.org/edutopia-staff
[2] http://www.edutopia.org/node/5523/results
[3] http://www.edutopia.org/readers-survey-2008
[4] http://www.edutopia.org/best-blog-educators-2008
[5] http://www.edutopia.org/best-educational-podcast-2008
[6] http://www.edutopia.org/best-virtual-field-trip-2008
[7] http://www.edutopia.org/best-site-download-free-lessons-2008
[8] http://www.edutopia.org/best-site-grant-information-2008
[9] http://www.edutopia.org/best-technology-product-less-100-2008
[10] http://www.edutopia.org/best-technology-tool-students-2008
[11] http://www.edutopia.org/best-education-software-2008
[12] http://www.edutopia.org/amount-spend-classroom-supplies-2008
[13] http://www.edutopia.org/best-way-get-need-classroom-2008
[14] http://www.edutopia.org/best-public-advocate-education-role-model-2008
[15] http://www.edutopia.org/best-new-book-education-2008
[16] http://www.edutopia.org/top-concern-parents-2008
[17] http://www.edutopia.org/top-concern-teachers-2008
[18] http://www.edutopia.org/what-missing-degree-certification-program-2008
[19] http://www.edutopia.org/who-teach-class-day-2008
[20] http://www.edutopia.org/subject-should-be-taught-2008
[21] http://www.edutopia.org/best-way-find-inspiration-2008
[22] http://www.edutopia.org/best-way-create-educational-community-2008