Nasser-Abu Alhija, F. and Fresko, B. (2010). Socialization of new teachers: does induction matter?

Teaching and Teacher Education, 26, p. 1592-1597.

The research paper delved into new teacher satisfaction during their first year of teaching with

socialization as the perspective. Three factors were identified that affect the socialization process. These

were teacher background, local context, and state policy environment. Teacher background included

gender, ethnicity, personal history which impact a teacher’s worldview, where they choose to work and

can even impact their contact with students. Local context refers to the culture and climate of the

school and/or the community. The instructional and organizational culture of a professional community

can greatly impact new teachers’ beliefs, values and practices. The state policy environment refers to

the extent which the state is part of the determination of induction standards, funding, etc.

The study looked at the national teacher induction program in Israel. There were three main

components of the induction program. These components were individual mentoring by a colleague in

the same school, weekly or bi-weekly workshops, and formal evaluation of teacher for formative and

summative purposes. The study employed a correlational design with hierarchical linear regression.

The findings of the study were rather vague and did not appear significant. School staffs that are

collaborative and show an interest in new teachers created a positive correlation between socialization

and satisfaction in the job. Ultimately, induction and mentoring have a positive impact on new teachers

and their ability to become effective educators. Induction and mentoring go hand in hand; they cannot

stand alone and be worthwhile.

I am finding that many of the articles or dissertations I am reading are very similar! I have

identified some seemingly seminal authors in the area of induction and mentoring. I do feel that each of

the studies finds something but I am unsure of the relevance of the findings. I continue to wonder how

to design a study that will be relevant when the topic is such a slippery slope and appears to change

depending on what direction it is viewed from. I still feel as if I am fishing around and nothing is biting!