Introducing the MTA's Retired Member-New Educator of Color mentorship program
Introducing the MTA's Retired Member-New Educator of Color mentorship program
New mentee & mentor program established to help retain educators of color
Become a Retired Mentor
Volunteer as a mentor to a new educator through the MTA’s new Retired Member-New Educator of Color Mentoring Programs. Retired mentors of color will be paired with new educators of color, who will have between zero and five years of experience in the profession, to help navigate challenges in the workplace with the goal of retention in the profession. Mentors will be expected to communicate with their mentee at least once a week through one-on-one meetings, via email, text and/or over the phone.
Become a Mentee
New educators of color will be paired with retired mentors of color to help navigate challenges in the workplace with the goal of retention in the profession.
Mentees will be expected to communicate with their mentor at least once a week through one-on-one meetings, via email, text and/or over the phone. Mentees will have between zero and five years of experience.
About the program
Overview
After interest was expressed by the MTA Retired Members Committee and other retiree members, the MTA New Members Committee voted to establish a subcommittee to develop and implement a Retired Member-New Member of Color Mentorship Program. Interest was prompted by the statewide failure to retain educators of color in their districts, campuses and the profession.
Goals
- Provide an opportunity for new educators of color to be mentored by retired educators of color, who not only lived the experience of these new educators, but also made it all the way to retirement.
- Provide an opportunity for retirees of color to share their experience and knowledge with new educators of color.
- Pilot a program that has a positive impact on the retention of educators of color in Massachusetts public education, moving the demographics of educators closer to those of the students that they teach.
- Bring to light the issues and obstacles faced by educators of color and find solutions.
- Encourage new member and retiree involvement in educator unions.
Interested? Please contact mtamentoring@massteacher.org for more information.