We all remember that one special teacher. The one who opened our eyes to the wonders of reading. Or the one who encouraged us to keep at it when the math got hard. Or even the one who would simply sit and listen when we were having a bad day.

I am constantly reminded of the monumental role our educators have in our lives and those of our children. They serve as beacons of knowledge, teaching our children how to understand the world around them. They are also guardians, role models and mentors. Despite whatever is happening in their personal lives, they show up every day and give everything to our kids.

As an educator myself, I have seen the impact that we have on the kids in our community, and how we can directly influence the path they are on. That is why it is so important for us as legislators to support our educators as best as we can, so they can support our students as best as they can. I hope to do just that by passing one of my bills, LD 470, “An Act to Require School Administrative Units to Adopt Mentoring Programs for Teachers and to Improve Existing Programs.”

Maine is currently facing a teacher shortage in grades K-12. We need to address how we look at teacher retention and mentorship in order to increase the longevity of qualified educators in our school systems. LD 470 requires that the Department of Education develop peer support and teacher mentorship programs to be used by school administrative units. It also allows an SAU to create their own program to be submitted and approved by the department before implementation.

When teachers have the support of a mentorship program, they benefit from improved classroom management, faster adaptation to the school culture, reduced stress and burnout and enhanced professional development. Experienced teachers also gain valuable leadership development experience as well as potential career advancement.

The expectation that a teacher can thrive immediately in a new school without proper mentorship is like expecting a new kid on the football team to kick a field goal their first time on the field. Teachers, just like athletes, need and deserve guidance, support and training. Starting any new job can be daunting, regardless of your level of experience and knowledge. You always will have to learn about the environment, the people and how to navigate between them.

I like to think that I have been a mentor to a handful of folks throughout my career, both teachers and students alike. I understand the value that good guidance has in a school environment. We all want to do what we can to help our students succeed. I believe this legislation will not only do that, but also ensure that our educators, and the state’s education system as a whole, thrive in the long run.

If you or someone you know has any questions or needs some assistance getting in touch with a government agency, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Joseph Rafferty is a member of the Maine State Senate representing District 34, Berwick, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Berwick and Wells. He can be reached at Joe.Rafferty@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1515. Sign up an email newsletter at mainesenate.org.