Mentoring Partnerships

<P>Special education across education programs nationwide is an incredibly high-need teacher shortage area and mentoring can make a profound difference in teacher retention and effectiveness. Within this handbook mentoring partnerships will be guided through the first year of a new special education teacher from start to finish. A month-to-month resource for both mentors and mentees this resource focuses on self-reflection cycles of growth and goal-setting including self-care strategies. Additionally the handbook focuses on evidence-based practices in special education tying resources to the High Leverage Teaching Practices (Council for Exceptional Children) providing templates to be adapted to local school districts for K-12 special education program use. The framework of this handbook is to provide evidence-based practices to promote inclusive special education programs where all K-12 students have equity access and achievement. New and experienced special education teachers will learn how to effectively promote and integrate inclusive special education programs emphasizing that special education is not a “place” but instead a “service” comprised of intensive support collaboration and accessibility. </P>