At a Glance:
To address the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining high-quality Career and Technology Education (CTE) teachers, the Career and Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) implemented a structured, mentor-led onboarding program focused on professional growth, classroom effectiveness, and institutional integration.
Challenge:
CTE instructors often transition directly from industry into education and may not have formal teaching experience. Adjusting to instructional strategies, managing diverse student needs, and navigating school operations can be overwhelming without proper guidance, leading to high turnover and inconsistent classroom performance.
Solution:
In addition to the core structure, CTCLC’s mentoring program integrates the following strategies to further enhance teacher success and long-term retention:
- Collaborative Observations: New teachers observe veteran instructors in action, followed by debrief sessions to analyze instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): New and experienced teachers participate in PLCs focused on instructional improvement, curriculum alignment, and addressing the unique challenges of CTE instruction.
- Access to Targeted Professional Development: Mentees receive support in identifying and attending professional development aligned to their certification areas and classroom challenges.
- Mentor Training and Support: CTCLC invests in mentor preparation by offering training that equips mentors with effective coaching, feedback, and adult learning strategies.
- Feedback Loops and Evaluation: Ongoing feedback mechanisms ensure the program evolves based on mentee and mentor input. Program effectiveness is measured through surveys, retention data, and classroom performance benchmarks.
CTCLC developed a comprehensive mentoring program that pairs each new teacher with an experienced mentor. The program provides structured support across six critical focus areas:
- Classroom Engagement
- CTC Operations
- Special Needs Students
- CTC Student Population
- Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Professional Conduct
Through regular check-ins, guided reflection, and resource sharing, the program ensures that new teachers develop the competencies needed to succeed in a CTE environment. At the same time, mentors benefit from the opportunity to share their professional experience, reflect on their own growth, and strengthen their role as instructional leaders. The process fosters meaningful collaboration and builds strong peer-to-peer connections across departments.
Impact:
The mentoring program not only addresses immediate instructional needs but also contributes to a long-term leadership pipeline by encouraging experienced teachers to serve as mentors, department leads, and future administrators. This intentional investment in human capital strengthens the entire CTC community and supports sustained improvement in instructional practice. Additionally, CTCLC has observed increased retention rates among new teachers and improved student engagement in classrooms where teachers have participated in the program.
The mentoring program has enhanced new teacher confidence, improved classroom readiness, and strengthened instructional quality. It supports a culture of collaboration and professionalism while helping reduce early career attrition. Mentors gain renewed purpose and connection through knowledge-sharing, while new teachers build their foundation in an environment that values support and continuous growth. As a result, students benefit from more consistent, high-quality instruction aligned with both industry expectations and educational best practices.
Contact
Dr. Karla Carlucci, Executive Director, kcarlucci@ctclc.edu
John Moran, Smart Systems & Engineering Technology Instructor, jmoran@ctclc.edu
Website: https://www.ctclc.edu/