Mentors Wanted:
Are you interested in being a mentor for a new teacher
for the 2016-2017 school year?
Please complete the Mentor Application linked here: Mentor Application
for the 2016-2017 school year?
Please complete the Mentor Application linked here: Mentor Application
Being a Mentor:
Mentoring plays an important role in the development of new teachers. Mentors are confidants, observers, counselors, and confidence builders. According to an Education Week article (2014), there are "eight qualities of a great teacher mentor".
Mentoring plays an important role in the development of new teachers. Mentors are confidants, observers, counselors, and confidence builders. According to an Education Week article (2014), there are "eight qualities of a great teacher mentor".
- RESPECT: There must be respect between the mentor and mentee that is developed over time.
- LISTENING: Through listening, the mentor really gets to know the mentee and is able to pick up on both verbal and non-verbal cues in order to provide support.
- CHALLENGING: The mentor encourages the mentee to push their thinking/practice and helps them grow as an educator.
- COLLABORATION: It is mutually beneficial for teachers to work together because everyone will walk away with new and improved strategies, lessons, and ideas. Collaboration goes a long way in strengthening the bond between teachers when both bring ideas to the table.
- CELEBRATION: Mentors and mentees work together to manage a variety of situations: making calls home to parents, implementing new ideas, and celebrating the "wins".
- TRUTH: Honesty is important in any relationship and constructive criticism is a building block of growth. New teachers will learn and grow from this feedback.
- SAFETY: Building trust with a new teacher is essential. This will take time, but the benefits are immeasurable, It is important that a new teacher feels safe to communicate challenges and frustrations with their mentor.
- EMPATHY: Don't forget that your mentee is human. They go through the same ups and downs as we all who have a bit more experience do. Understanding is key.