The Value of Mentorship in Special Education Programs

This study investigates the critical role of mentorship in preparing pre-service special education teachers for the challenges of the classroom. We surveyed pre-service special education teachers before and after engaging in a year-long mentorship experience with a veteran teacher. We also followed up with study participants one year after the mentorship experience ended, during their first year of teaching, to examine longer-term perceptions of mentorship. Findings indicate that participants reported increased readiness in instructional practice, classroom management, and confidence in their teaching abilities. However, participants reported ongoing gaps in preparation, particularly related to case management and working with students from diverse backgrounds. Implications for educator preparation programs and future research are discussed.