The Possible Effects of Mentoring on Second Career Teacher Perceptions

Abstract

The primary goal of this study was to examine the effects of mentoring during the first teaching year of high school Second Career Teachers. The teachers’ perception of this aspect of their professional career was studied. The practice has been that school district administration assigns new teachers a mentor to support them in their success. They will be following an Induction Plan created by the district. This study takes into account the value of teachers coming into the teaching field after having been in one or more previous careers. Considerable challenge awaits the Second Career teacher as the states adopt rigorous Common Core Standards and standardized testing becomes required for graduation. The mentoring experience is meant to provide support that may be needed to help teachers be successful. The development of this perception as an effective teacher is rooted in Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986). Their competitive workplace is the site of this support. Therefore, William Glasser’s Control Theory, in conjunction with W. Edwards Deming’s Quality Control Theory (1950), could be applied for efficient teaching and learning to take place. While lead-managers or administration may act differently in the school environment, school environments and school cultures can also be very competitive. Both Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986) and Glasser’s Control Theory and Deming’s Quality Control Theory (1950) informed this study. Second Career research and my own experience as a teacher and administrator yielded five assumptions. These assumptions informed the interview protocol. Research data were gathered from eight high school Second Career teachers during two interview sessions. Themes became evident from the overlapping data. Recommendations are given for both school administration and those educators who develop district Induction Plans. Implications for further research of Second Career teachers’ perceptions of their mentor experience is offered.