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Committee hears bill to create Montana BEST mentoring program for early‑career teachers
Summary
House Bill 340 would fund a statewide mentoring program to pair early‑career teachers with experienced mentors, provide stipends and matched local contributions, and require annual reporting to measure program impact; proponents emphasized retention benefits and rural district needs.
Representative Melissa Romano, sponsor of House Bill 340, told the House Education Committee the bill would establish the Montana BEST mentoring program to support teachers in their first three years and reduce turnover by pairing early‑career teachers with experienced mentors and providing stipends and training.
Romano described the program as distinct from induction: mentoring, she said, is “centered around relationships to improve student outcomes, school climate, and teacher retention,” and the bill would fund mentor stipends and a matched contribution model.
Proponents from across the state testified in support. Rob Watson and…
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