Book excerpt: "A much-needed resource for teacher mentors. The new and updated strategies and practical approach will give mentors crucial support as they provide assistance and encouragement to new teachers. Portner has clearly demonstrated the importance of both theory and practice in this practical guide." —Priscilla Miller, Director Center for Teacher Education & Research, Westfield State College A comprehensive guide for developing successful mentors! Quality mentoring can provide the support and guidance critical to an educator′s first years of teaching. In the latest edition of the best-selling Mentoring New Teachers, Hal Portner draws upon research, experience, and insights to provide a comprehensive overview of essential mentoring behaviors. Packed with strategies, exercises, resources, and concepts, this book examines four critical mentoring functions: establishing good rapport, assessing mentee progress, coaching continuous improvement, and guiding mentees toward self-reliance. Tools and topics new to this edition include: Teacher mentor standards based on the NBPTS Core Propositions and validated by members of the International Mentoring Association and other practitioners Classroom observation methods and competency instruments Tools to assess preferred learning styles Approaches to mentoring the nontraditional new teacher A guide for careerlong professional development School leaders, experienced and prospective mentors, and staff developers can use this step-by-step handbook to create a dynamic mentoring program or revitalize an existing one.