Moving from undergraduate to student teacher, or from student teacher to in-service educator is exciting and exhilarating, and also overwhelming and (if we’re being honest) slightly terrifying! But since so many have gone through these transitions before you, there is no reason to make a go of it on your own - you can and should draw on the wisdom and experiences of your colleagues! Mentoring relationships between experienced educators and their early-service colleagues can make a hugely positive difference for all involved.
How can we all provide better, stronger support for our colleagues in education? This is a pivotal question to ask, to ensure the success of early service educators and also to address the looming teacher shortage. Part of the answer lies in intentional and targeted mentorship programs. Studies show that with frequent meetings between mentors and mentees, educators are generally more likely to stay in the teaching profession and report better outcomes in their teaching practice (Variation in Mentoring Practices and Retention…).
The relationship between a mentor and mentee is one grounded in honest self-appraisal and valuable guidance. It takes a more holistic approach to your development and includes personal and professional growth (7 Reasons Mentorship is Integral to Growing Your Career). The ILMEA Bridge Mentorship Program is built to encourage these relationships through planned meetings and webinars, thoughtful and careful matching of educator colleagues and facilitating ongoing mentor/mentee meetings and professional relationships.
Even beyond professional success, great mentors also celebrate the new teacher’s successes, encourage their passions and interests, and address their frustrations and exhaustion (What Makes a Great Teacher Mentor?). Encouragement and coaching in these specific areas are an intentional part of successful mentorship programs such as the ILMEA Bridge Mentorship Program. Mentorship is more robust than just a ‘buddy system’, however, as mentors are key to providing consistent support in social-emotional wellness for new educators alongside support for and development of instruction and pedagogy (New Report Outlines Strategies to Better Support First-Year Teachers). This program strives to provide early career music educators with a foundation for success in the field of music education through mentoring partnerships, professional development, networking and leadership opportunities and ILMEA state activities.
READY TO GET STARTED?
If you are going to be a first-year music educator in the 2022-2023 school year, now is the time to sign up for the ILMEA Bridge Mentorship Program! As it is often said, “Hope is not a strategy.” Rather than hope for good outcomes as you transition into your first teaching position, make a plan for success, and the ILMEA Bridge Mentorship will be an important part of that strategy!
What is the commitment and schedule?
Because new and experienced music educators have very busy schedules, the program is designed to be flexible based on the needs of the mentor/mentee pair.
5 webinars in the fall (August 7, September 11, October 16, November 13, December 11) required for mentees, optional for mentors
breakfast meeting at IMEC
4 webinars in the spring (February 5, March 12, April 16, May 7) required for mentees, optional for mentors
as many hours of mentor/mentee work as you wish!
What is the cost?
$50 registration fee for mentees
no registration fee for mentors
mentees and mentors must be members of ILMEA; mentors are licensed music educators with 5+ years of experience, currently teaching in Illinois.
What are the benefits, and what is included in the registration fee?
assignment of a mentor based on specific requests, coordinated through the Bridge Program leaders and ILMEA district presidents and division presidents.
opportunities for networking with music educators from all parts of Illinois
personal copy of the book A Place in the Staff: Finding Your Way as a Music Teacher by Jen Rafferty
9 webinars for mentees
Mentor/Mentee breakfast at IMEC
Earn up to 20 PD hours!
Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 program! Visit ilmea.regfox.com/22-23bridge to sign up and claim your spot!
If you are a licensed music educator, with 5+ years of experience currently teaching in Illinois let us know if you’re interested in serving as an ILMEA Bridge Mentorship Program mentor. We will match people up with mentors based on geography and areas of teaching, and the more mentors we have to work with early-service educators, the better!