Mentorship

Providing mentorship is the number one thing schools can do to enhance teacher and student success.

Everyone knows that teaching is a profession that requires on-the-job training.

Don't get me wrong, our teacher training institutions are doing a fantastic job of giving young new teachers a foundation of knowledge and applicable skills that will support them throughout their teaching careers.

But the real learning happens once those fresh new teachers step into their very own classrooms. Those first few years of teaching are full of opportunities for growth and supporting teachers through those years is absolutely critical. If you ask me, every teacher needs a mentor during those important first years.

Homeschooling parents are hungry for information and often feel left alone to figure things out. A solid mentor can be invaluable in building confidence and feeling good about your homeschooling journey.

Providing mentorship isn't easy.

While we can all agree that mentorship is valuable and important, we're a bit more challenged when it comes to making it a reality.

• Mentorship is expensive. 
• Mentors are hard to find.
• It takes time to establish a mentoring relationship.
• Teachers are already working hard -- mentoring is just "one more thing" to do.

I've been there. You want to support your teachers, but the budget is limited.

So, you look to provide "in-house" mentoring with an experienced colleague.

But, the experienced colleague is also teaching full-time, time is limited and before you know it six weeks have gone by and no one has checked in with your new first grade teacher.

Or maybe your school has gone to the effort and expense of hiring an outside mentor. The mentor comes for a two-day observation at the beginning of the year, makes recommendations but by the end of the year the recommendations have been forgotten and no one has followed up with the teacher to see how things are coming along.

Sound familiar?

Distance mentorship is the perfect solution.

I've watched the scenarios above unfold at many schools. It all starts with the best of intentions, but the challenges are great. This is why I am so excited to expand my distance mentorship program.

With a distance mentorship solution, your teachers can tap into expertise on an ongoing basis, building a long -term relationship and rapport with the mentor.

Distance mentorship is affordable. Your school saves travel and per diem expenses for visiting mentors.

Distance mentorship is convenient. Teachers can ask questions via email and attend video conferences from the comfort of home or school.

Distance mentorship is effective. In a recent pilot program, participating teachers followed through on goals and shared their progress with other participants and their mentor with tremendous success.

But cost and convenience benefits aside, distance mentorship allows for a TRUE mentoring relationship to develop. Mentorship is all about trust. Teachers need to feel comfortable to let their guard down, become vulnerable and ask their deepest questions. A mentor is a friend and companion who walks alongside the teacher as she goes through the difficult process of examining her life and work in order to make it better. This is not the kind of work that can happen over the course of a couple of days.

Testimonials

"Meredith’s insight and expertise has been immensely helpful to me in my work as a fledgling Waldorf teacher. I have worked as her assistant, as a colleague, utilized her guides, and had one-on-one consulting sessions with her. Meredith provides practical, innovative, and highly organized materials for anyone seeking guidance in Waldorf teaching. She is always my first suggestion for anyone seeking resources on lesson planning and providing a framework for creating a personalized and authentic Waldorf curriculum."

David Zimmerman, Swallowtail Waldorf School

Distance Mentorship Program

My 6-week distance mentorship program is designed to give teachers the support they need to think through their challenges and move through the year with confidence. 

• 6 weeks of support
• Weekly emails with real-life homework
• Journaling and observation goals and guidance
• 2 30-minute calls -- one at the beginning of the program, one at the end
• Unlimited email consultation
• Discounted rate for in-person mentoring visits

By the end of the 6-week program, teachers will have developed a habit of self-observation and reflection that will support them for years to come.

Fall Program Topics

September-November

• Classroom management
• Communication with parents and other stakeholders
• Curriculum planning
• Main lesson format
• Observing students
• Tracking student progress

Winter Program Topics

January-March

• Curriculum prep and delivery
• Setting academic goals
• The role of imagination
• The importance of rhythm
• Economy in teaching
• Self-care

Spring Program Topics

April-June

• Record-keeping
• Providing feedback
• Connecting with the community
• Writing reports
• Identifying special needs, planning for next year
• Professional development

Program Cost: $240/term

Sign up for one term or the whole year. 10% discount available for multiple teachers from one school.

I'm absolutely convinced that this distance mentorship program is the most effective and affordable way to ensure success.

Hourly mentorship also available.

Questions? Email meredith@awaldorfjourney.com.