Montana mentorship programs, though scattered, provide support for teachers in rural schools

In Montana, where such research is scarce, a 1995 study — limited to a dozen teachers — found that pairing experienced teachers who volunteered as mentors with their rookie counterparts resulted in more than 90 percent of teachers staying in the profession after two years, compared with 73 percent of teachers without mentors.

To meet that need for teacher support, the Office of Public Instruction recently unveiled an online training tool http://learninghub.mrooms.net/ for teachers. More than 3,000 users have registered, and by the state’s count about 1,400 educators from 298 schools have completed courses. Most of the educators are from small schools.

Demming, who grew up in Helena, sees more mentorship and training as a key to keeping teachers in rural schools.

"I don’t think it’s money," he said.

By MATT HOFFMAN [email protected]

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