How Do I Find a Mentor Teacher?

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"Hello, and welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we explore the essential questions and practices that help us grow into the best teachers we can be. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re tackling a topic that can truly transform your teaching experience, especially in those early years. We’re asking: How do I find a mentor teacher?

Finding a mentor isn’t just about having someone to lean on; it’s about building a relationship with someone who can offer guidance, encouragement, and insights that help you grow both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a brand-new teacher or even someone with a few years under your belt, a mentor can offer you invaluable wisdom, feedback, and the support you need to thrive.

Today, we’ll explore the importance of mentorship, strategies for finding the right mentor, and what you should expect from a strong mentorship relationship. I’ll also share tips on how to nurture a productive relationship with your mentor and keep it balanced with your own unique teaching style.


Get the free version of my latest book: "Ready, Set, Teach!

TeachingwithValor.com or DJFessenden.com 


Show Notes

For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:

• Edutopia – Mentorship for New Teachers: www.edutopia.org - Articles and resources on finding and benefiting from a mentor.
• National Education Association (NEA): Information on mentorship programs for new teachers.
• ASCD – Building Effective Teacher Mentorships: A guide on creating strong mentorship relationships.
• The New Teacher Project (TNTP): Resources on professional growth for new teachers.
• Teacher2Teacher Community: An online space for teachers to connect and find mentors in their field.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Episode Transcript

Don (00:08):
"Welcome to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive
into the heart of education,helping teachers, parents, and
students thrive.
I’m your host, Don Fessenden,and if you’re passionate about
making a difference ineducation, you’ve come to the
right place.
Before we jump into today’s deepdive episode, I’d like to ask

(00:29):
for your support.
If you find value in theseconversations, please take a
moment to like, subscribe, andshare this podcast with your
fellow educators and parents.
Your support helps us reach morepeople, empowering more teachers
and families to navigate thechallenges of education with
confidence and courage.
So hit that subscribe button,share this episode, and let’s

(00:53):
continue to grow this communitytogether." Today we’re tackling
a topic that can truly transformyour teaching experience,
especially in those early years.

We’re asking (01:04):
How do I find a mentor teacher?
Finding a mentor isn’t justabout having someone to lean on;
it’s about building arelationship with someone who
can offer guidance,encouragement, and insights that
help you grow both personallyand professionally.
Whether you’re a brand-newteacher or even someone with a
few years under your belt, amentor can offer you invaluable

(01:27):
wisdom, feedback, and thesupport you need to thrive.
Today, we’ll explore theimportance of mentorship,
strategies for finding the rightmentor, and what you should
expect from a strong mentorshiprelationship.
I’ll also share tips on how tonurture a productive
relationship with your mentorand keep it balanced with your

(01:48):
own unique teaching style.
And for our parent listeners,stick around for a special bonus
segment where we’ll answer acommon question: How can I
encourage my child’s teacher ifI know they’re new to the
profession?
Let’s dive in." In our firstsegment we look at Why
Mentorship Matters in Teaching.

(02:08):
"To start, let’s talk about whymentorship is such a critical
part of a teacher’s journey.
Teaching is complex and dynamic,and while our training and
student teaching experiencesgive us a foundation, there’s
nothing like being in your ownclassroom for the first time.
The reality is, those earlydays, months, and even years can

(02:30):
feel like navigating anuncharted ocean.
And that’s where a mentorteacher comes in.
A mentor is someone who can helpyou find your footing, offering
practical advice based on theiryears of experience.
They can share classroommanagement strategies, lesson
planning tips, and insights intoschool culture.

(02:50):
They can also be a soundingboard—a person who understands
the challenges you’re facing andcan offer a fresh perspective.
But perhaps even more important,a mentor teacher can help you
develop confidence.
They remind you that growthtakes time, that missteps are
part of learning, and that it’sokay not to have all the answers

(03:10):
right away.
When you find the right mentor,you’re not just gaining a guide;
you’re gaining an ally who’sinvested in your success.
So now that we understand thewhy, let’s move on to how you
can go about finding that idealmentor, starting with tips for
new teachers in elementaryschool.""Finding a mentor at the

(03:31):
elementary level is all aboutbuilding connections with other
teachers who have experienceworking with younger students
and understand the developmentalneeds specific to that age
group.
One of the best places to startis within your own grade level
team.
In many schools, teachers of thesame grade level collaborate on

(03:51):
lesson planning, shareresources, and discuss student
progress, making it a naturalplace to connect with a
potential mentor.
As a new teacher, take time toobserve how your colleagues
manage their classrooms,interact with students, and
structure their lessons.
Pay attention to who seemsparticularly skilled at creating

(04:12):
a positive classroom environmentor explaining concepts in ways
that engage young learners.
Don’t be afraid to reach out andask questions—most experienced
teachers are more than willingto share their insights and will
appreciate that you’re eager tolearn.
Sometimes, schools assignmentors as part of a new teacher
induction program.

(04:33):
If you’re assigned a mentor,take full advantage of that
relationship by setting upregular check-ins and asking
specific questions about areaswhere you feel uncertain.
For instance, you might askabout strategies for managing
transitions or ways to integratehands-on activities that make
learning fun and interactive foryoung students.

(04:55):
But if your school doesn’t havean assigned mentorship program,
take the initiative.
Approach a teacher you admire,perhaps saying,‘I really respect
the way you manage yourclassroom, and I’d love to learn
from you.
Would you be open to meetingoccasionally to share strategies
and advice?’ A simple,respectful ask like that can be

(05:16):
the beginning of a meaningfulmentorship.""Once you move into
middle school, teaching becomesmore specialized, and students
are dealing with a lot ofchanges socially and
emotionally.
Let’s talk about finding amentor who can guide you through
those unique challenges.""Inmiddle school, teaching is often
more subject-specific, and thedevelopmental needs of students

(05:40):
are shifting as well.
Middle school students arenavigating the complexities of
adolescence, which can addlayers of challenge to both
instruction and classroommanagement.
A mentor at this level can helpyou balance those aspects by
offering strategies that meetboth academic and emotional
needs.
One way to find a mentor inmiddle school is to seek out

(06:03):
teachers in your subject areawho are known for engaging
students and managing theparticular dynamics of middle
schoolers.
Look for teachers who seem tohave a positive rapport with
students, who are able to handlethe challenges of this age group
with humor and patience.
If you’re a new science teacher,for instance, reaching out to an

(06:24):
experienced science teacher cangive you insights into
subject-specific strategies andcurriculum pacing.
A great way to make thisconnection is by asking to
observe a class.
Watch how the teacher managesdiscussions, handles
disruptions, and fosters studentparticipation.
Afterward, thank them andmention something specific you

(06:46):
appreciated, like,‘I loved theway you encouraged students to
think critically during thediscussion: how did you develop
that approach?’ Showing genuineinterest in their techniques and
being specific can help youbuild rapport and open the door
to further mentorship.
If you’re assigned a mentor butfind they’re not a perfect match
in terms of subject or style,don’t hesitate to build a

(07:10):
network of mentors.
You might have one mentor forclassroom management and another
for curriculum development.
Middle school is a time ofexperimentation and
adaptability, and havingmultiple sources of wisdom can
be invaluable.""High schoolteachers face their own set of
challenges, as students areolder, more independent, and

(07:32):
often more focused on futuregoals like college and careers.
Let’s talk about finding mentorsat the high school level who can
help you address these uniqueneeds.""In high school, students
are thinking more independentlyand preparing for their next
steps beyond school, whichbrings a new set of demands and
expectations to teaching.

(07:54):
As a high school teacher, yourmentor needs to be someone who
can help you navigate subjectdepth, foster critical thinking,
and prepare students for collegeand careers.
Start by looking for experiencedteachers in your department.
High school departments oftenhave collaborative structures,
which can make it easier toconnect with colleagues in the

(08:15):
same subject area.
Approach teachers who have areputation for engaging students
in meaningful discussions orguiding them through complex
projects.
If you’re a new history teacher,for instance, find a mentor
who’s known for makinghistorical concepts relevant and
interesting to teenagers.
High school mentors can alsohelp with assessing student

(08:38):
progress and preparing studentsfor standardized tests, AP
exams, or even practical skillsfor life beyond high school.
Don’t hesitate to ask abouttheir approach to balancing
rigorous academic expectationswith real-world relevance.
You might say something like,‘Inoticed your students are really
engaged in their work—what’syour strategy for keeping them

(09:01):
focused and motivated,especially during challenging
topics?’ A high school mentorcan also be invaluable for
navigating parent communicationand managing the increased
stakes of grades and collegepreparation.
The right mentor will not onlyguide you in your practice but
also share advice on workingwith parents, supporting

(09:22):
students’ emotional well-being,and handling any school policies
related to graduationrequirements and college prep."
"Finding a mentor is just thebeginning.
Next, let’s talk about how tomake the most of that mentorship
relationship once it’sestablished.""Once you’ve found
a mentor, the real work begins.

(09:44):
The most productive mentorshiprelationships are built on
mutual respect, clearcommunication, and a willingness
to learn and adapt.
Here’s how to make the most ofthat relationship.
First, set regular meetingtimes.
You might meet weekly, biweekly,or monthly, depending on both of
your schedules.

(10:05):
During these meetings, comeprepared with specific questions
or topics you want to discuss.
For example, if you’restruggling with grading, bring
examples and ask for feedback onyour approach.
Having an agenda helps both youand your mentor make the most of
your time together.
It’s also important to be opento feedback, even when it’s

(10:26):
constructive.
A good mentor will point outareas where you can improve, but
this is a chance to grow.
Listen actively, ask clarifyingquestions, and be open about
areas where you’re struggling orfeel uncertain.
Remember, they’re there tosupport you, not judge you.
Another key to a strongmentorship relationship is being

(10:48):
proactive in implementing yourmentor’s suggestions.
After each meeting, try out oneor two strategies they
recommended, and come back thenext time to discuss how it
went.
This not only shows your mentorthat you’re committed but also
provides a basis for continuedlearning and growth.
Lastly, remember that mentorshipis a two-way street.

(11:11):
Share your successes with yourmentor and let them know when
their advice has helped you makea breakthrough.
Mentors are invested in yourjourney, and they appreciate
hearing about your progress.
A simple‘Thank you, thatsuggestion really made a
difference in my classroom’ goesa long way in reinforcing a
positive, collaborativerelationship.""Now that we’ve

(11:37):
covered how to find and make themost of a mentor, let’s move
into our bonus segment, wherewe’ll answer a question from
parents about how they cansupport their child’s teacher,
especially if they know theteacher is new.""Parents often
ask, How can I support mychild’s teacher, especially if I
know they’re new to theprofession?

(11:58):
And that’s a wonderful questionbecause teaching is a team
effort that includes the supportof students’ families.
One of the most effective waysto support a new teacher is
through open communication.
If you have concerns or positivefeedback, share them
respectfully.
Teachers, especially new ones,appreciate knowing when they’re

(12:19):
making an impact or where theymight be able to make
adjustments.
Another great way to support isby reinforcing classroom
expectations at home.
Many new teachers work hard toestablish routines and
behavioral expectations, and itcan make a huge difference when
parents reinforce thoseexpectations.

(12:39):
Lastly, consider offering yourtime or resources if possible.
Whether it’s volunteering for anevent, offering supplies, or
just a quick‘thank you’ note,small gestures of support can
mean a lot, especially duringthose intense first months of
teaching." And now, todaysepisode takeaways.

(13:00):
"Finding a mentor teacher is oneof the most valuable steps you
can take in your teachingjourney.
A mentor offers guidance,support, and insights that can
help you grow, both as a teacherand as an individual.
Whether you’re teachingelementary, middle, or high
school, a strong mentorshiprelationship can make your first

(13:21):
years more rewarding andsustainable.
Thank you for joining us ontoday’s episode of Teaching with
Valor.
For more resources on findingand working with a mentor
teacher, check out the links inour episode description.
I'm also including a freeversion of my newest book"Ready,
Set, Teach! for all my listenersat TeachingwithValor.com or

(13:44):
DJFessenden.com.
Remember, no teacher has to goit alone:learning from others is
what helps us become the best wecan be.
Keep connecting, keep learning,and as always, keep teaching
with valor."