Of all the resources available to educators, the most powerful and impactful can be the personal connection associated with mentors. While most mentors are knowledgeable of educational topics, they possess support skills beyond printed words or videos. A skilled mentor can engage in a conversation with a colleague educator and share the personal emotions associated with the service to children and communities. Skilled mentors provide educators with a personal connection by listening, listening, and asking questions to clarify what you have told them. They may share some of the same educational struggles and provide insight that allows you to find a solution to your concerns or they may observe you using a new instructional strategy with your students and give you data rich feedback that helps you determine if the strategy did what you intended to promote student learning. Everyone has mentors in their lives, some chosen and some appointed. Mentors and those educators being mentored can both enjoy a satisfying and effective path while educating students. Education is a personal experience and most mentor-mentee pairs become lifelong friends and colleagues because the nature of what they share is rich and of depth.

If you want to improve your educational experience, choose a mentor to walk the path with you or offer to be a mentor for someone who would benefit from your knowledge and skill set! Follow this link and listen as Jarryd and Chris share their mentoring experience with Trenika. Consider the retention data as you reflect over Jarryd and Chris’ words about their experience with a mentor. Mentoring programs benefit every aspect of the school and community environment.

Administrators and Teachers:

View this video as you consider beginning or strengthening your mentoring program. Use the experiences shared to spark your thoughts and ideas that will promote mentoring as a strong part of your school culture. Follow this link and join Asia as she begins her week day at 5:30 a.m. in preparation for her school day. Explore six essential tips for new teacher mentoring through Asia’s collaboration with David. As you hear Asia’s story, consider:

• What specific, achievable goals does Asia focus on?
• What type of feedback does Asia request from David? How does this help Asia?

As you hear Asia’s story, consider your mentoring program. What essential tips can your program offer; what tips can your program consider from Asia and David’s experience?

Administrators and Teachers:

This specific video link provides a data driven approach to the mentoring process. Seven additional clips are available from The Teaching Channel associated with mentoring and:

• Planning;
• Classroom Management;
• Differentiation;
• Technology in the Classroom;
• ADHS in the Classroom;
• Formal Observation;
• The Parent-Teacher Conference

You can view these clips for personal professional growth, mentor-mentee experience ideas, and training of mentors. As you share these clips and engage in conversation around the topics, emphasize the reality of the personal stories shared and recognize the dynamic relationship that supports mentoring. Click on this link for access to guidance information and helpful tools associated with Georgia educator expectations and demands. You will find recent summit information and opportunities to join Georgia educators in future conferences focused on teacher and principal induction. Learn Georgia’s RT3 story and how they focused their attention on mentoring as a critical tool for developing effective educators; Teacher and Principal Induction Tools and Resources. Explore the modules and resources specifically researched and designed to support those educators mentoring other educators; mentoring a principal and mentoring a teacher. Contact Dr. Karen Wyler, Georgia expert on mentoring, to make personal contact and allow her to mentor you as you strive to meet your educator needs and build a strong mentoring culture in your system and school.

Administrators:

Explore the Principal Mentor Module Resources provided and experience training on a process approach to mentoring colleague administrators. New administrators also need mentors and this resource recognizes the power of mentoring new principals and assistant principals; the tools can be extended into mentoring at the district level.

Teachers:

Explore the Teacher Mentor Module Resources and register for free online mentoring training. The program and resources are rich and varied to support the dynamic structure of Georgia schools and school systems. If you have been asked to mentor, this is your next step to a successful relationship with your colleagues!