Sometimes some of our greatest mentors come from the teachers that we meet throughout our lives. Even if you are a teacher yourself, sometimes turning to a more tenured teacher that has been recognized as a leader in your school can help to convert you from a good teacher to a great teacher. With the start of a new school year, we thought it would be appropriate to share some useful mentoring tips for teachers:

Foster a support system and everybody can improve. Source: Freedigitalphotos.net

For new teachers:

• If something is challenging you, don’t be afraid to ask questions or advice from other teachers. Everyone was new and inexperienced at some point and will be able to relate where you are coming from.
• Keep a list or informal journal for teaching strategies and activities that did or did not work throughout the day. Periodically review this with your mentor to discuss ways for improvement.
• Ask to watch your mentor in the classroom. Take note of how he or she is with curriculum, instruction, and interaction with students.

For mentors of new teachers:

• Take the time to listen to questions and concerns from new teachers.
• Determine what your new teacher’s greatest strengths are and find a way to highlight and enhance these strengths.
• Ask a new teacher to shadow you for a day.

For administrators of new teachers:

• Carefully select experienced teachers to serve as mentors for new teachers.
• Offer the necessary resources and support to encourage the success of the mentoring relationship.
• Meet with the mentor and new teacher regularly to get updates on how the relationship is progressing.

For more mentoring tips for teachers, be sure to check out our recent post about a successful mentoring relationship in the classroom or contact us at the Over My Shoulder Foundation.