Day Nursery mentors offer support and guidance to new teachers

Day Nursery rolled out a new initiative this month designed to increase teacher retention by helping new teachers feel better connected to Day Nursery from day one.  Eleven classroom teachers have been designated as mentors with the task of offering support and guidance to new teachers through their first 12 months at Day Nursery.  The mentors will assist the new hire in building a portfolio with 6 competency goals.  The new teachers will be coached in maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; ensuring a well-run program responsive to the needs of the family; establishing positive and productive relationships with families; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development through positive guidance and maintaining a commitment to professionalism.  The mentors will meet with their mentee a minimum of once monthly to make sure they are achieving the goals of their portfolio. Erin Slack, Day Nursery’s Director of Human Resources and Cathy Johnson, our Human Resources Manager deserve a round of applause for getting this new initiative started.

NEW DAY NURSERY MENTORS: (front L to R) Eva Johnson, Lilly; Amanda Childress, Federal; Berta Rice, Clarian; Mary Cosby, Northwest; Tracey Wood, Avon; (back L to R) Mary Smith, Northwest; Kim Townsend, Ft. Harrison; Twanette Harrington, State; Krystal Gardner, Avon and Tonia Jaggers, State. Missing: Patricia Peoples, Clarian.