Reflection 6: A Good Mentor

I was blessed to have a great mentor as I started my teaching career. Mentoring a library media specialist is different than mentoring a classroom teacher as our roles and responsibilities are different. My mentor, Denise, not only preemptively addressed issues such as grading, conferences and evaluations, but made suggestions for lesson planning and offered her class as a model for collaboration. As I learned how to work with a classroom teacher, the feedback and suggestions she provided were invaluable. Mostly, she mentored through example. Providing leadership but also demonstrating how a teacher leader continues to be a learner. As I work with staff in professional development and collaboration for literacy, research and tech integration, I remember the skills that she used. It has served me well as I facilitate PD and professional courses for teachers. Like any good teacher, a good mentor models learning.