Mentoring Matters

During the first few years of their careers, beginning teachers need support as they make the transition from being a student of teaching to being a teacher of students. Teachers need much more, however, than a life preserver thrown out to remedy the sink-or-swim approach. Learning the ropes- the policies and procedures of a school and district, working with curricula and testing requirements, fitting in with the culture of the school, getting to know the community - is a huge professional learning challenge. Added to this is, of course, the heart of a teacher's job: responsibility for teaching a group of students and inspiring them to learn and to want to continue learning. 

Quality teaching is the responsibility of the entire school community. Fostering a supportive environment that helps new teachers become good teachers - and good teachers become great teachers - is critical to providing a rewarding career path for educators and a quality learning environment for students. 

~National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, "Induction Into Learning Communities," 2005

Mentoring matters! Thankful for the opportunity to meet with an outstanding group of mentors today in Greenwood 50! Mentor coordinator, Martha Vincent, has been a strong proponent of the mentoring initiative in South Carolina and has remain committed to the work. I am appreciative of her efforts and the invitation to speak to the cohort of mentors serving in Greenwood 50.

My mantra continues to be that birth to five is the most critical time in the life of a child...and it's the most critical time in the life of an educator!! Professional norms are established during the first few years of teaching, and it is essential to provide quality support beyond the first year of teaching. I am thankful for committed mentors who have embraced the vision that our role is much more than throwing out the life preserver, but it is about learning and growing together! Our goal is to accelerate new teacher effectiveness, so that students succeed and we experience win-win results! Mentors wear many hats in their quest to support students and colleagues. One of the hats we wear is the role of learner. We learn so much from our new colleagues around us and must remain committed to growth ourselves.

I am energized by mentors who continue to seek out opportunities to grow and reflect upon our practice. We are excited about introducing several advanced academies for our certified mentors designed to deepen our mentoring skills and remain committed to growth as well!

Following the mentor forum meeting, I had the chance to have dinner with one of my mentors, Genie McDill!  Genie is a former colleague of mine at CERRA. She served as a Teacher in Residence for the Savannah River Region and is a passionate advocate for students and the teaching profession! There will always be folks out there in our world who try to tell us all the reasons why we can't, shouldn't, or won't...and that is why we cherish those rare individuals in our lives who remind us of all the reasons why we can, why we should..why we must! Thankful for great mentors out there like Genie!

I am excited about all the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of students and teachers through the work of mentoring. Through this work, we can influence and impact the entire next generation of teachers! If you have not been to an initial mentor training, I hope you will consider the powerful opportunity and learn more about the initiative at www.cerra.org

The words of mentors can speaker louder than anything I could ever say...to check out a glimpse of the initial training, click on the video below: