Mentorship program elevates all teachers

Stepping into your first or second year of teaching is exciting, but it often comes with a rush of nerves. That feeling, the one where you want to do well but worry about making a mistake, is exactly what our district’s teacher mentorship program is designed to prevent. It’s more than just training; it’s a commitment to teacher success that ultimately makes our entire school community stronger.

The mentorship program pairs first and second year teachers with veteran mentors, dedicated teachers whose job is to provide one-on-one support.

For high school teacher Megan Bentley-Moon, this made all the difference. "The sole focus is for me to be a better teacher, and how amazing is that?” she said. She said her mentor acted like a true cheerleader and was deeply invested in her growth. And when she faced a tough challenge, her mentor stepped right in. "I actually talked to [my mentor] about it and she came in for a whole week solid and we worked on it together until we got the culture in the classroom where we wanted it to be,” she said. “I really saw things get better from that point on.”

The strength of the mentorship program is that real, practical support is right there in the classroom, giving new teachers tools and tips that they can use immediately. This support system also ensures that new teachers gain a crucial foundation: confidence. "She pointed out my accomplishments that I didn’t always see for myself which really helped me grow in my confidence,” said Bentley-Moon.

By building up new teachers, we are strengthening the whole school environment. In addition to individual coaching, the mentor program builds friendships and connections through group training sessions made just for first and second-year teachers. “I always leave feeling like I now have more tools that I can immediately use in the classroom,” said Bentley-Moon.

But this training doesn't just help the individual, it raises the bar for the entire district. Assistant Principal Valerie Budinich said this program quickly helps new teachers become contributing team members alongside their experienced colleagues. “Our new teachers are bringing what they're learning into their teams, into our school, and continuing the learning."

That's why the mentorship program is an investment in the future of education, and a clear sign of what our district values. "I just don't know what we'd do without this program," said Budinich.

For any teacher seeking a district that will truly invest in their well-being and growth from day one, our teacher mentorship program is one of the ways you can see that Bethel is a supportive, inspiring, and dynamic place to start a career.