Where Do You Turn for Help?

Finding mentorship, reflection, and voice throughout the journey

Dearest Preservice Teachers,

Many of the teachers you meet, your new colleagues, and your cooperating/host/associate teacher, are indeed very accomplished and seem to have it all figured out. Comparing your skills and capacity to theories is a pitfall that is best to avoid.

Remember they once were where you are now, and their professional growth did not happen overnight.

Keep an open mind about learning. You can learn from everyone. Ask questions and always remember that finding answers and solutions to daily challenges is part of any profession.Be a sponge: listen, observe, reflect and choose . Seek information from your colleagues and build your mentorship web.

The more you take ownership of your learning and next steps, the more empowered you will feel in achieving them.

Your host/associate/cooperating teacher may be a wonderful role model and mentor, and they may be a reason to seek mentorship elsewhere. Sometimes, learning in uncomfortable spaces can do so much good because it helps you clarify what you don’t want to sound/be like, but you need examples as much as non-examples. Seek mentorship widely, and choose mentorship wisely.

Teaching is unique because it asks us to share- constantly. We share our knowledge, our love of learning, our care, and empathy for learners. It is as demanding as it is rewarding, as exhausting as it is exhilarating.

If you are an overachiever, or simply someone who likes to “do,” try to avoid another common challenge: attempting to do everything immediately and perfectly. This can result in teaching and learning fatigue. Not everything is urgent, even if it is very important.

You need to prioritize your time, your energy, and your life.

Set boundaries early out of respect to others and yourself. And, no one expects you to have all the answers and complete all tasks perfectly and immediately. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind.”

Listen to your students, let them know you heard them. When you make a mistake or do not know something, be honest. Model what it looks like to learn, reflect, and seek solutions. Often, students will surprise you with their empathy and appreciation for your effort and authenticity.

Being a preservice teacher can feel like there is so much coming at you, but you have choice and voice at every stage. You can be selective about:

• Your flock- the people who help you feel supported, challenged and seen

• Your goals- the ones that are given to you from the profession and the context but also the ones you set for yourself, and the unwritten ones

• Your communication style and skills- how you build relationships, advocate for yourself and your students, and connect with others

• Your growth- recognizing that your personal and professional growth are not linear and will not follow the same trajectory as others. Your journey is unique.

Growth comes through reflection, experimentation, and discovering the kind of teacher you want to become. Listen openly, think critically, ask questions, and trust that your perspectives, experiences, and strengths matter, too.

Remember:

“You are not starting from scratch. You are starting from experience.”

— Author Unknown

Yours in Mentorship,

Noa Daniel, Denise Furlong, iolanda Volpe