This brief describes challenges new teachers encounter, specifically highlighting challenges faced by new teachers in rural school districts. Mentoring and induction programs are identified as one strategy for improving new teacher development and retention. However, the authors suggest that rural schools must design and implement mentoring and induction programs that address distinct challenges new teachers will face at their schools. The brief outlines 10 challenges rural schools may encounter with the implementation of mentoring and induction programs. Also, the authors provide strategies to address each mentoring and induction challenge. Throughout the document, there are program spotlights that highlight examples of mentoring and induction strategies utilized in the field.
