Mentoring Each Other: Teachers Listening, Learning, and Sharing To Create More Successful Classrooms

Teachers new to the profession often need a helping hand; more experienced teachers can play a role in lightening the load. Using evidence-based research, Parker (education, Univ. of Windsor) and Vetter (education, York Univ.) describe a type of mentoring that incorporates collaboration and sharing. They differentiate between “modeling,” in which mentors perform the desired behavior, and “mentoring,” which consists of a broad teaching and learning relationship. This practical primer features tools and strategies called “mentoring moves,” clear and simple steps, charts and diagrams, stories from the field, and worksheets. The authors describe the importance of self-reflection, self-assessment, and feedback, as well as skills such as risk-taking and negotiating differences. By emphasizing reciprocal learning instead of power hierarchies, Parker and Vetter promote a culture of mentoring communities and demonstrate that mentors can in turn learn from their mentees.