To support new staff, we do several things in our middle school program. First, as with all first-year teachers, we assign them a mentor, someone to answer questions, offer suggestions, observe classes in a non-judgmental context; we also have periodic first-year teacher meetings run by the Academic Dean. Second, we ask them to read two books, "This We Believe" and "How Girls thrive" (we're an all-girls school) - this gives them a solid grounding in the principles of middle school teaching and how we work to build self-esteem in our students. Third, we offer them the chance to borrow "Meet Me in the Middle" and/or "Day One and Beyond" by Rick Wormeli. Finally, we strive to create an atmosphere of mutual support in the middle school office. It all seems to be working relatively well, judging by how well our new teachers interact with their students and with their colleagues.