Educator Spotlight

Mentoring, for me, looks like willful sacrifice and unconditional support. Like a therapist, you remain accessible in times of crisis while being a supportive presence over time. It is continuous work that builds over time into a bigger picture of stronger professionals doing great work with our students.

This is the first opportunity I have had to mentor. However, being on the other side of the coin as a mentee I have been fortunate to have mentors who have gone out of their ways to support me professionally and emotionally inspiring me. Their support helps me to believe in myself and continue giving my best.

For me, mentorship is the personal rapport that is established between two individuals who both can learn from each other. It is the guidance and support that is provided to the mentee, but also the reflection; establishing the why.

Why mentor? There is nothing like the gratification one receives from helping others. No matter if it is a student or an adult, the smile that comes across their face when they “get it” or learn a new way of approaching a subject, is priceless. I enjoy being a part of this process, in fact, it is my passion. Growing others, helps grow you, and your students reap the benefits.

Since the inception of the TSL grant and the collaboration with TXCEE, our campus has celebrated many successes with the components of this grant. Our teachers have become better instructional leaders since they have used the protocols of the TCLCs and CLCs to showcase their commitment to educating our at-risk students. As their administrator for the past decade, I have seen their professional growth in the delivery of instruction and the use of protocols that they have learned in the trainings and the support from our CLL.

I was a classroom teacher for 14 years before I became a CLL. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I knew I was ready for something different. As a teacher, I was used to helping and supporting teachers with math and technology instruction; and as a CLL I knew I would be able to help and impact more teachers.

Becoming a mentor has been very eye opening for me. As a teacher who only has 4 years of experience I felt as though I would not be able to help another educator grow. When the program began, I put my uneasiness aside and approached my new venture with positivity. Now this process has taught me more than I could have imagined.

This is my first year mentoring another teacher and it has definitely taught me just as much as I hope my mentee is learning. My mentee and I regularly talk and collaborate on classroom management and lesson planning.