Why mentor? Mentoring is a way to provide support to other teachers, develop solid collegial relationships, share your proficiencies, and strengthen your own leadership attributes! Mentoring fellow teachers can be a wonderful and challenging experience. All teachers can mentor each other. However, if you are a National Board Certified Teacher it is particularly important to share your expertise with others. You have proven that you love what you do and do it very well. Mentoring NB candidates is just one way to share your knowledge. It is important to realize that you can be available to ANY teacher who requests your help. Of course, new teachers will find your experience and knowledge helpful. However, even experienced teachers can find your expertise in particular areas valuable.

There are oodles of ways to mentor other teachers. Find an area of interest and share it with others. For example, a group of teachers at my school are currently discussing the work of Ruby Payne. They meet together and have discussions about how her strategies can be applied in the classroom.

I have been an active mentor to any teacher who asks for help. I have tutored teachers in the area of technology. I have shared lesson plans. I have given advice on behavior management. I have made webpages on topics for which teachers need information. The list could go on and on.
Shown below is a short list of potential mentoring topics. Find your area of expertise and tell others you are available to help when help is desired.

*Classroom management
*Lesson Planning
*Conflict Resolution
*Character Education Techniques
*Discussion Groups on Educational Trends
*Modeling lessons
*Ordering Supplies
*Organizational Skills - Record Keeping
*Technology Skills
*Professional Development Plan - Creation and Implementation (Florida)
*Short and long term planning of teacher/student goals
*Mission Statements
*Integration of Reading and Math within all subject areas
*Share collected resources
*Multiple Intelligences inclusion in lesson planning
*Strategies for avoiding Burnout
*Assessment Strategies
*IEP writing for teachers of children with special needs

"Mentoring Beginning Teachers"

Great Site to Recommend to Beginning Teachers

"Mentoring National Board Candidates"
Back to "Quick Jump!"

If you are a FLORIDA National Board Certified Teacher and need to get mentoring hours for your bonus, your mentees do not have to be NB candidates. As long as the teachers you mentor are not NBCTs, you can count the mentoring hours. In fact, there are many teachers who would appreciate your help in all areas of teaching and best practices. See the list of tips given in the "Mentoring Tips" section above to get idea sparkers on how you can share your talents with others.

However, if you decide to mentor National Board candidates, it is very important to have a mutual understanding between mentor and mentee. You both need to understand each others expectations. You need to begin the mentoring relationship "on the same page". The link below may be of great use to you. Provided by the Florida Education Association, it gives some concrete suggestions for mentor/mentee roles and responsibilities.

Mentor / Mentee Agreement Form

Download NBPTS "Guideines for Ethical Candidate Support"
Ethical Candidate Support Guide

Remember, it is NOT your job to do the portfolio for a candidate.
You are there to guide, steer, and be a pillar of strength.
*Be available and answer questions in a timely manner
*Be enthusiastic
*Model best practices
*Give examples that do not enfringe on confidentiality aggreements
*Explain to your mentee what you will or will NOT do
*Be frank, but nonjudgemental
*Study current standards, assessment, and portfolio directions
*Go to the NBPTS.org website for a refresher course
*Be confident in your mentee
*Demonstrate reflection techniques which provide examples of both pro and con analysis of teaching
*Remind mentees that change brings discomfort
*Tell mentees it is OK to feel "rattled"
*Provide lots of encouragement
*Maintain and adhere to an oath of confidentiality and trust between Mentor and Mentee
*Remind candidates to ENJOY the process

"Mentoring Articles and Websites"
Back to "Quick Jump!"
The following links will provide
lots of information on the topic of mentoring
and its role in the teaching profession

The Benefits of Mentoring by John Holloway

Mentoring Resources from Middleweb

Mentoring Beginning Teachers

Creating a Mentoring Program

Supporting Beginning Teachers (Regional Ed. Lab)

Creative Ideas From a Mentor Teacher

NCRTL explores learning from mentors: a study update

Mentoring in the field of Science

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Updated November 20, 2002
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