The Good Mentor

In the past few weeks, new and inexperienced teachers across Broward County will look to their Instructional Coach for the advice and support they need to survive and prosper in one of the world's most challenging professions. Will they find the mentor they need? In this 1999 article from Educational Leadership, James Rowley described six "basic but essential" qualities of good mentors. Rowley bases his analysis on his decade of work helping school districts design mentor-based, entry-year programs.

1. The good mentor is committed to the role of mentoring.
2. The good mentor is accepting of the beginning teacher.
3. The good mentor is skilled at providing instructional support.
4. The good mentor is effective in different interpersonal contexts.
5. The good mentor is a model of a continuous learner.
6. The good mentor communicates hope and optimism.

Source: James Rowley (1999) Educational Leadership