[cll]

I will be a mentor next year to a teacher that is new to my district, but that has been teaching for a few years (not more than 5). We are about the same age and have been teaching the same amount of years.

I am looking for advice on how to be helpful but not make her feel like I am treating her like a brand new teacher. I don't want to make her feel as if I am talking down to her, but I don't want to assume that she knows things.

I have already spoken with her and told her that I have a district checklist of items to talk with her about, but when we are done with that she should just let me know what she needs from me. I am also making her a binder listing a lot of miscellaneous information and handouts that she may need.

Any advice??

[LiveLaughLove]

You could be describing me! I have been teaching 4 years and moving to a new district and I will meet my mentor the first week of planning.

Anyhow, I personally, would not take offense. I am worried because I ask so many questions. (REALLY) Not to be annoying, just to make sure I have every situation covered.

What I would like is to have a sit down session planned prior to the start of school. Give her time to gather any questions about the school/policies she might have (couple days) and then have an answer session.

Also, you sound like you are very available to help her. If you don't mind, give her your cell number so if she is working in her classroom over the weekend or after school, she can ask you questions that pop up. (I would not call unless I really hit a roadblock.) I try personally not to chat with people at school because time is precious.

The last school I worked at, I wanted to know about their curriculum map. They had my "mentor" teacher contact me and she said she would get back. She never got back and when we spoke again, she said "Don't worry about it we will talk one day during preplanning. " I wanted to be ready BEFORE.

Just being available and happy to answer questions really means a lot to "newbies"

[Susan/IN]

I think you're on the right track. I had a similar situation a few years ago when a teacher was getting her masters. She gave me a list of things I was supposed to be monitoring but when it was time to fill out the interim reports, I felt like I was put in a difficult position. I didn't think she was doing everything she could/should have been. She never asked for help or suggestions on anything and shared little about what was going on in her classes. While I think the mentoring programs are a good idea, I don't think enough training is given to people put into this position.

Good luck.

[lov2teach2]

I am a mentor and a lead teacher in our new charter school because everyone else was new and I had taught there for a year. But I was not given any training but the three years I had taught before that for the district. Which I think helped get the school running, because they did know how some things should work or could work. But I still have not recieved official training. So if cll you have Ideas that you described above could you go into more detail. I try to always keep my door open for the new teachers and we have weekly planning meetings where we plan reading, math, etc. lesson plans so we can be together most of the year. It is so much easier when you have two or more teachers helping you plan. We bring all our worksheets, games,activities on the subject, such as on geometry, and we share them and plan out the week or two. It's great it helps us get along and encourage one another and it is so much easier to plan this way.We also give each other ideas on discipline and rewards. Last year we all did Homeworkopoly and handed out Busy Bucks for rewards to spend at the class stores. When one of us has a parent that is concerned or upset we all meet with that teacher with the parent. That way we can all give our input on the situation because we usually all have all the students in one or two classes. I teach fourth and this has worked for me, but I wouldn't mind some more ideas myself. I always wonder whether I am doing all I can be doing.

[phoebe611]

I was in a strange situation last year. I was new to public school, but had more years of teaching experience than my mentor. So, because of that I think my mentor was hesitant to mentor to me.

What I needed was help on public school life and that district's procedures rather than help wih teaching in general. So, from my experience, Just BE THERE!!! Be an ear for her; a sounding board; a friend. That means the most anyway since all the rest will come with time. Oh, one thing that was REALLY wonderful for me in my last job (private school). We had team or teaching partners. One teacher taught 3 subjects, the other teacher taught the other 3. Anyway, my first day of school there my "mentor" partner teacher had a goodie bag of stickers, post-its, chocolate, etc., and I have never forgotten how special that made me feel - and that was years ago. Do something small, but special to make her feel welcome.

You are very kind to be thinking of her and helping out! Good luck to you both!

[SusanTeach]

I did the same thing not long ago - and I just told her to please let me know how I could help her. I gave her a "new teacher booklet", but I explained that it's really for teachers new to the district because it gave all the information on our particular school (like POs, EEF money, etc...). I invited her to my house over the summer, so she could ask any questions she had, and so we could compare lesson ideas (if she wanted to - which she did). On the first teacher workday, I gave her a goody bag (like Phoebe) with theme-related goodies. I also would remind her of things when I saw her in the hall, but I'd do it in a "question" format. I'd say something like, "Did you hear about the EEF form being due in Nov?"

Different teachers have different personalities, so yours might prefer to be left alone until she needs something. As long as you make yourself available, that sounds like all she wants right now. It may change when school starts.

[cll]

I am going to err on the side of being too helpful, I think! I am making a binder with all kinds of information in alphabetical order and using abc dividers to organize all of the information. This is helping me be sure that I don't leave anything out and also reminding me of a few things I need to do! We are meeting next week to go over a few things.

Thanks again!!!

[lov2teach2]

Once you have done this book with your teachers will you let us know how you did this and what went into the book? It would sure be helpful to me. Thanks and good luck!!