Legislative committee backs Sen. Rafferty effort to promote a high-quality teacher workforce

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, May 14, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted in favor of a proposal from Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, to review the state’s mentorship opportunities for new Maine teachers and support educator workforce development. LD 470, “An Act to Require School Administrative Units to Adopt Mentoring Programs for Teachers and to Improve Existing Programs,” received an 8-5 vote along party lines.

“In my time as a teacher and coach at Kennebunk High School, I’ve seen the incredible passion, skill and dedication that our teachers bring to the classroom,” said Sen. Rafferty. “But, like me, they have to retire someday. That shouldn’t mean our schools lose their professional wisdom. Rather, we should be preparing new teachers to carry on the mantle and help them start their careers smoothly. As we continue to work on building and retaining Maine’s teacher workforce, we should do all we can to ensure it is a high-quality workforce through comprehensive access to mentorship programs.”

As amended by the committee, LD 470 would direct the Maine Department of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to review the current status of teacher mentoring programs in public schools and report back to the committee in the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. The report would help the committee make well-informed decisions about how mentoring programs may need to be improved or expanded upon.

The Maine Department of Education defines an effective mentor as one who “serves as an advocate for the beginning educator and assists him or her in finding resources. Mentors also provide emotional support and problem solve with the beginning educator. As the mentor and mentee relationship evolves into more collegiality, the meetings focus on such issues as effective planning and instruction, differentiation, curriculum, assessment, and student achievement.”

LD 470 now faces votes in the full Senate and House.

Sen. Rafferty is serving his third term in the Maine Senate, representing Berwick, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Berwick and Wells. He serves as the Senate Chair of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and serves on the Labor Committee.