UAF secures $14.9 million to mentor teachers new to 乐虎直播
Kristin Summerlin
907-474-6284
Dec. 11, 2023
The 乐虎直播 has secured a $14.9-million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and Innovation Research to expand its teacher mentorship program. The will expand from serving only first- and second-year teachers to mentoring all teachers new to the state, including experienced educators from other countries.
Since 2004, ASMP has trained 157 mentors and served nearly 5,000 early-career teachers in 500 schools across 乐虎直播鈥檚 54 districts. The ED EIR grant extends the program鈥檚 reach to provide context and cultural nuances to help teachers adjust to the state鈥檚 unique educational landscape.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 乐虎直播鈥檚 teacher shortage has worsened. 鈥淭eacher recruitment and retention are especially challenging in remote communities,鈥 said Sue McIntosh, ASMP program manager.
鈥淎SMP has a 20-year history of connecting teachers to the knowledge and resources that can smooth their way and help them succeed from the start so that they are more likely to stay,鈥 she said.
Roughly 70 percent of 乐虎直播鈥檚 new teachers come from Outside, and many of them go to rural communities, according to Janice Littlebear, ASMP鈥檚 cultural advocacy lead.
鈥淚t is important for teachers new to 乐虎直播 鈥 whether rural or urban, experienced or new to the profession 鈥 to understand their students鈥 communities, cultures and history,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hey also need to know how to navigate the practical realities of life in a remote place 鈥 how to get food delivered, for instance, or access medical care.鈥
Glenda Findlay, K-12 outreach director, noted that the grant is research-oriented. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to seeing the data. We anticipate continuing positive impacts on our schools, teacher retention and student outcomes,鈥 she said.
Recipients of EIR expansion grants are expected to 鈥済ive back鈥 to the education community. Littlebear said ASMP plans to partner with another state to create a roadmap for those interested in building similar statewide teacher mentor projects.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Janice Littlebear, 907-444-6500, jjlittlebear@alaska.edu; Sue McIntosh, 907-590-7490, suemcintosh.asmp@gmail.com; Glenda Findlay, 907-450-8406, gkfindlay@alaska.edu
102-24