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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ways teachers undergoing induction via the Career Advancement and Development of Recruits and Experienced (CADRE) Teachers Project felt empowered and supported in their well-being through mentoring and coaching. Design/methodology/approach Surveys about CADRE Project impact were e-mailed to 675 current and former participants. Out of 438 surveys returned, researchers used homogeneous sampling to identify 341 teacher respondents. Researchers used qualitative thematic analysis to determine ways teachers felt supported. Findings Coaching and mentoring supported CADRE Project participants’ well-being through empowerment (theme). Sub-themes included: growth, collaboration, networking, improvement and resources. Research limitations/implications Possibilities for future research include exploring the role of mentors/coaches, tracking teachers’ leadership roles and investigating the link between induction and teacher retention in more detail. Practical implications Opportunities for growth and collaboration are cornerstones of first-year teacher support. These support systems can lead to a sense of belonging, develop a mindset for continuous improvement and create long-term networking opportunities. The support teachers need to empower them and maintain their well-being changes with each first-year teacher phase. Originality/value Few studies exist on induction programs with the longevity of the CADRE Project. The high survey response rate with overwhelmingly positive responses suggests that CADRE is unique in its support of beginning teachers’ well-being through the first-year teacher phases, specifically due to the combination of mentoring and coaching beginning teachers receive.

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Schools around the world are incredibly diverse; therefore, understanding inclusion, equity, and social justice is an essential part of teacher preparation. Preservice teachers need guidance to identify and reflect on the personal lenses they bring to their classrooms. This reflection, in turn, helps them understand, relate to, and meet student needs. Partnerships between urban school districts, communities, and universities are necessary to strengthen preservice teachers’ application of culturally responsive teaching practices. Using a mixed-methods, sequential design, the authors addressed the following research questions: In what ways, if any, does the structure of the teacher preparation program impact preservice teachers’ comfort with, understanding of, and/or application of culturally responsive teaching practices in urban teaching environments? Were there specific components of the structure that supported preservice teacher development? The authors conclude by sharing a conceptual framework for structuring authentic field experiences to support culturally responsive teaching practices in preservice teachers.

For over 25 years, the CADRE Project has developed both new (or beginning) and veteran teachers. This induction program's success is linked to the collaboration between one university and multiple local school districts. Nearly 100% of CADRE participants have remained in education, and over half of them have moved into leadership roles. During summer 2018, the researchers distributed 675 online surveys to past participants. Responses yielded a 65% response rate. Analysis produced the following three themes: empowerment, retention, and leadership. The researchers propose a conceptual framework showing the interaction among the three themes and connect the themes to collective efficacy. The researchers close by outlining future directions for research and recommendations for other induction programs.