Effective employee onboarding is a critical investment that goes far beyond paperwork and orientation day. Research from the career website Zippia shows that organizations with strong onboarding processes increase new hire retention by 82%, yet 88% of employees believe their organizations don’t do this well. A comprehensive onboarding program should span at least three months, ideally the entire first year, and balance administrative needs with relationship building, introduction to school culture, and professional development.
The most successful onboarding initiatives address five fundamental questions: What do we believe in here? What are my strengths? What is my role? Who are my partners? And what does my future look like? By focusing on the “Four Cs” (Compliance, Clarification, Culture, and Connection) and implementing structured check-ins throughout the year, leaders can create an environment where new employees feel valued, understand expectations, build meaningful relationships, and see a path for growth leading to higher engagement, performance, and retention.
Mentoring programs serve as a cornerstone of successful teacher onboarding and professional development. A supportive environment with personalized guidance diminishes the confusion, anxiety, and stress that often leads to early career attrition.
Effective mentoring initiatives are built on clear frameworks that include establishing trust, sharing specialized resources, encouraging reflection, fostering collaboration, and emphasizing self-care. The structure matters significantly: preplanned weekly meetings, strategic mentor-mentee pairings based on proximity and responsibilities, and connections maintained over two to three years anchored to the school’s mission and values. When schools prioritize mentoring through proper training, recognition for mentors, and supportive timelines that respect school rhythms, they create professional learning communities where both new and experienced teachers thrive together.
SAIS offers summer programming for those new to the teaching profession and those that are transitioning from teaching in public schools.
The SAIS Institute for New Teachers provides guidance, support, and the opportunity to practice planning and instructional skills with a small peer group led by an experienced independent school educator. Immediate, constructive feedback on demonstration lessons allows attendees to practice their craft in a supportive setting. This three-day program offers practical hands-on strategies and information unique to the culture and setting of an independent school. New teachers leave this workshop empowered to create and facilitate inspired learning experiences, partner with parents, and find their place in the school community.
The Institute for New Teachers: Public-to-Private is an online self-paced course offered May 1-August 31 for experienced public school teachers who are making the move to an independent school. Participants will explore the unique culture and structure of an independent school and what it’s like to work within a mission-aligned school community. A downloadable workbook is provided to guide participants as they learn and collect information about their new school. Opportunities for reflection, comparison, and additional questions are also included. The activities are designed to facilitate the relationship between the new teacher and their mentor, division, or department leader.
