The leadership team of Rossville Consolidated School District was selected to present at the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) and Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) Annual Conference, held in Indianapolis on Sept. 23, 2024. The presentation, titled “Fostering Teacher Retention: Implementing a Mentor/Mentee Program,” was led by Dr. Jim Hanna. Teachers Mr. Jason Newhouser and Mr. Evan North discussed the program’s benefits while consultant Dr. Deb Lecklider reviewed the training components for the mentors. The team expressed their appreciation to Rossville’s Board of Education for their commitment to the new teachers within the district.
At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Rossville Schools faced a staggering loss of 23.5% of its teaching force, as 15 of its 64 teachers left the district. The district administration recognized the urgent need to address teacher retention, so the district turned to proven research and mentorship models to create a program to retain educators. Drawing on the effective school research of mentorship programs, such as Dr. Hanna’s participation in the IAPSS mentorship program, Rossville Schools implemented a Mentor/Mentee initiative.
The team’s presentation highlighted the Mentor/Mentee program’s key components, including identifying and training mentors, establishing communication and expectations, and fostering relationships that support professional growth. The program is designed to provide new teachers with comprehensive guidance, pairing them with experienced staff to create a support system for retention. The session explored the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees, the structure of mentor training led by Dr. Lecklider, and the use of tracking logs to measure progress and success.
A notable feature of the presentation was one of Rossville’s mentor/mentee pairs sharing their experience and showcasing how the program has strengthened the district’s educational environment.
“Mentorship is the cornerstone of our commitment to creating a supportive and thriving educational community,” Hanna said. “Our Mentor/Mentee program has significantly impacted teacher retention. We are excited to share our journey and best practices with our colleagues across the state.”
As Rossville continues to refine and expand the program, the district remains focused on the belief that investing in mentorship is an investment not only in individual teachers but also in the long-term success of the entire school district.
