OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) aims to support teacher recruitment and retention through its new Oklahoma Educator Launch & Mentorship Initiative, which will provide first-year Oklahoma teachers with training, mentorship, and financial support.
“Participating first-year teachers may earn up to $2,000 in stipends, while mentors may receive up to $10,000 for supporting new educators,” explained OSDE Senior Director of Teacher Recruitment and Retention Autumn Kouba. “This is a wonderful opportunity for former or retired teachers to share their knowledge with newer teachers who can benefit from their wisdom and experience.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lindel Fields said the new program demonstrates Oklahoma’s desire to continue investing in quality educators who can support the improvement of educational outcomes across the state.
“Recruiting great teachers is only part of the equation. We also have to ensure they feel supported, prepared, and encouraged to remain in the profession. The Oklahoma Educator Launch & Mentorship Initiative creates a strong foundation for first-year teachers by pairing meaningful training with sustained mentorship, helping us build and retain a high-quality educator workforce for Oklahoma students.”
A five-day Summer Launch Institute is scheduled to be held on July 27 through July 31.
To learn more about the Oklahoma Educator Launch & Mentorship Initiative, click here.
To access the first-year teacher application for the program, click here.
To access the mentor application for the program, click here.
