Committee Updates

Mentorship Update

Diane Ballard and Benjamin Lupo, OMEA State Mentorship Co-Chairs

Mentorship is happening in District 3!

President Brian Stevens brought to our attention a terrific example of members serving our profession. We give a huge “shout out” to District 3 for their work. Now is the critical time for our newest teachers---check out the work from District 3 and consider using it for your newest members in your District or Region!

District 3 sends a cheerful and engaging email to their mentor/mentee pairs with a snapshot of the mentor attached. Mentors are asked to reach out to their mentees in the next week or so. This quote is really appreciated “Your mentor is here to answer any questions you may have, help you with OMEA guidelines and deadlines, serve as an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on - anything you may need throughout the year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to them: they're here to help!“.

District 3 President Amy Phillips issued an invitation to the Fall meeting including a social hour at a local restaurant. The email concludes with this clear checklist, seen below, for mentors from D3 Mentorship Co-Chairs- Richard Sherrick and Audrey Lambert:

D3 Mentorship Expectations

Thank you for agreeing to participate in the D3 mentorship program! Below are some basic expectations and helpful information to guide you in how to help your D3 mentee. Please read this thoroughly, and reach out if you have any questions or concerns! — Audrey Lambert and Richard Sherrick

Please reach out to your mentee as soon as you receive one. Email or phone call is probably best for a first-time communication. Keep in mind that at the beginning of the school year, first-year teachers may feel overwhelmed, so you may need to reach out more than once before receiving a response. This doesn’t mean they don’t want a mentor, it just means they’re taking time to adjust to their new role!

Offer any helpful advice and be a good ear to listen, shoulder to cry on, etc. Encouragement over commiseration!

Offer to bring them to D3 meetings and be a friendly face at OMEA events. We often gravitate to people we know - be there for your Mentee!

Consider arranging a monthly phone call/coffee date/dinner/etc. A regular check-in time with your mentee will fit easily into your schedule and will give them something to look forward to!

Around LGAE and S&E times, remind your mentee about deadlines, Rules, guidelines, and the like. If you are registering your students for events, make sure they are, too!

If able, offer to attend their performances or clinic with their groups!

New teachers may not have connections in this area yet, but still want someone else’s input. Be available to help them in this way, if possible!

Also- check this great graphic featuring one of the District 3 Mentors- Dane Newlove!

Mentorship is a living chain of educators supporting each other. We hope that sharing this wonderful effort will help give districts inspiration for building a structure that works for them.

Check out our Winter TRIAD info for:

Demographic data collection from the 24/25 participants
Survey responses from the participants
Details about our PDC session for building peer to peer mentoring

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