"Your mentors in life are important, choose them wisely." Bill Walsh
When I started at Sweet Home there wasn't a Mentor Program available to me, but I quickly formed a bond with my SpEd roommate. She had over 25 years of experience and was willing to answer every one of my questions and any concerns I had. I quickly learned that she was a highly-respected teacher in the building and an integral part of the Heritage Heights culture. She was involved in many extra-curricular activities/clubs-always finding ways to be involved with the kids. She was always full of ideas and helpful hints to help me get through my first year of teaching. She was always willing to take the time to sit down with me and listen to all of my concerns, self-doubts in my abilities, and my inability to find a healthy balance in my school/home life. I now realize she really was my mentor in school and out of school. She is the reason I am asking to be a mentor next school year, so I can listen to a new teacher's frustrations, be honest, positive and helpful in any way.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
That is so true! I remember in my first few years of teaching, my building principal would frequently stop by my room at the end of the day and tell me that she like how I did something during one of my lessons that day. It was great to hear, since I was spending tons of time prepping for all of my groups and I wasn't always feeling confident in my results. Having her say that reinforced the idea that I was on the right track. She would also put notes in our mailboxes, stating that she saw something that we did, while teaching, that she thought was great. As a new teacher, that really helped me trust myself and my abilities as a teacher-she made me feel like I could do it, that I belonged in this field and that I had something to offer my kids. Unfortunately, we all have had moments when someone made us feel less-than and we can carry this with us throughout our lives. My goal with my students is to always make them feel like they can do anything they put their mind to. It may be challenging and they might fail, but taking the risk is worth it.
When I started at Sweet Home there wasn't a Mentor Program available to me, but I quickly formed a bond with my SpEd roommate. She had over 25 years of experience and was willing to answer every one of my questions and any concerns I had. I quickly learned that she was a highly-respected teacher in the building and an integral part of the Heritage Heights culture. She was involved in many extra-curricular activities/clubs-always finding ways to be involved with the kids. She was always full of ideas and helpful hints to help me get through my first year of teaching. She was always willing to take the time to sit down with me and listen to all of my concerns, self-doubts in my abilities, and my inability to find a healthy balance in my school/home life. I now realize she really was my mentor in school and out of school. She is the reason I am asking to be a mentor next school year, so I can listen to a new teacher's frustrations, be honest, positive and helpful in any way.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou
That is so true! I remember in my first few years of teaching, my building principal would frequently stop by my room at the end of the day and tell me that she like how I did something during one of my lessons that day. It was great to hear, since I was spending tons of time prepping for all of my groups and I wasn't always feeling confident in my results. Having her say that reinforced the idea that I was on the right track. She would also put notes in our mailboxes, stating that she saw something that we did, while teaching, that she thought was great. As a new teacher, that really helped me trust myself and my abilities as a teacher-she made me feel like I could do it, that I belonged in this field and that I had something to offer my kids. Unfortunately, we all have had moments when someone made us feel less-than and we can carry this with us throughout our lives. My goal with my students is to always make them feel like they can do anything they put their mind to. It may be challenging and they might fail, but taking the risk is worth it.