Dr. Karen Foster, professor and director of assessment and accreditation for Lincoln Memorial University’s (LMU) Carter & Moyers School of Education, recently joined education leaders from across the country to address how stronger mentorship can improve teacher preparation and retention.
Foster represented LMU at the 2026 National Field Experience Conference, held at Southern Arkansas University, where she presented a session on strengthening professional development for mentor teachers. Her presentation, titled “Professional Development for Mentor Teachers: Beyond the Basic Administration and Usage of Clinical Assessment Instruments,” highlighted strategies that extend mentor training beyond evaluation tools to support meaningful growth for teacher candidates.
“Mentor teachers are central to the preparation and retention of new educators, and their influence extends far beyond formal assessments,” said Foster. “The conference fostered meaningful exchange with colleagues nationwide and strengthened collaboration with professors, administrators and mentor teachers, an essential component in preparing effective educators in partnership with our school districts.”
During the session, Foster emphasized practical approaches to effective mentorship, including building positive mentor and candidate relationships, encouraging reflective professional dialogue, delivering clear and actionable feedback and implementing co-teaching strategies. She also discussed the importance of mentor teachers modeling effective instructional practices and classroom management techniques to prepare candidates for increasingly complex learning environments.
Foster addressed the evolving landscape of educator preparation, noting the growing use of diverse clinical pathways such as traditional student teaching, job-embedded experiences, Grow Your Own initiatives and clinical permits. She emphasized that mentor teacher training must be flexible and responsive to meet the distinct needs of each pathway.
By focusing on intentional mentorship and strong partnerships between universities and school districts, Foster addressed how educator preparation programs can improve candidate readiness while supporting long-term success in the profession.
“She understands how important mentor teachers are, not just in evaluating candidates, but in actually helping them grow into the profession,” said Dr. Chessica Cave, interim dean of the Carter & Moyers School of Education. “The way she approaches this work, focusing on relationships, feedback, and support, makes a difference for our students and our partners. I’m grateful for the leadership she brings and the impact it continues to have.”
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The university’s main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about undergraduate and graduate programs, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email admissions@lmunet.edu.
