I’m thrilled to share an exciting new chapter in my professional journey: this year, I have the privilege of mentoring a newly qualified PE teacher. From Canada and experienced in middle school PE, this courageous young lady is not only diving into the dynamic world of primary physical education, but also into the IB framework. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her fresh ideas spark creativity in our planning and implementation of activities. Together, we’re ready to embark on an adventure of growth and discovery!
Reflecting on my own experiences as a trainee teacher, I remember the challenges I faced. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and under-supported. I believe that mentorship is essential for fostering confidence and skills in new educators, and I didn’t receive as much guidance as I know I could have benefited from. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring my mentee feels empowered and supported throughout this journey.
1. Create a Safe Space: I want my mentee to feel comfortable expressing her ideas, questions, and concerns. Establishing a trusting relationship is foundational for effective mentorship. I’ll encourage open dialogue, fostering a combined environment where both of us can share feedback and learn.
2. Share Best Practices: Drawing from my own experiences, I aim to provide her with practical advice on classroom management, lesson planning, and engaging students. I believe that by sharing strategies that worked (and didn’t work) for me, she can find her own rhythm and style more quickly.
The “Invisible Dance” an is an idea that was passed on to me by a colleague and an idea I have passed on to my mentee. It is an idea I continue to keep in mind. The questions we ask ourselves and the actions we take before and after teaching a class is vital. A FREE resource detailing the “Invisible Dance” can be found at www.teacherspayteachers.com/The-Invisible-Dance.
3. Encourage Innovation: My mentee is bursting with fresh ideas, and I want to harness that enthusiasm! By incorporating her creative concepts into our curriculum, we’ll keep our lessons engaging and inspiring for our young learners. It’s essential to nurture her enthusiasm while blending it with tried-and-true methods. I have been lucky enough to work alongside colleagues who have allowed me ownership to redesign learning experiences. My favourite project was creating the early years PE learning journeys, which can be found at www.teacherspayteachers.com/Early-Years-Learning-Journey
I’m excited to see new creative ideas and changes.
4. Set Achievable Goals: Together, we will set realistic goals for her professional development. We’ll reflect on her progress and celebrate milestones, no matter how small. Recognising achievements is key to building confidence and motivation!
5. Model a Lifelong Learning Mindset: As we grow together, I want to emphasise the importance of continual learning—not just for her, but for myself as well. We’ll explore new professional development opportunities, workshops, and resources to keep our skills sharp and our passion for PE alive.
6. Promote Team Collaboration: I’ll encourage my mentee to engage with other staff members and work collaboratively on projects. We have already scheduled observations together so we can watch other teachers work their magic. These teachers are not necessarily PE teachers, as we wish to observe a range of behaviour management techniques as well as other tricks in the classroom to ensure engagement and progress. This will not only enhance her experience but also build a supportive network that can be invaluable throughout her career. A resource I am proud to have created on the foundation of collaboration with classroom teachers is Diamond Island, a target game that encourages both budgeting knowledge and the consideration of different perspectives around immigration. This resource can be found at www.teacherspayteachers.com/Diamond-Island-Target-Game
7. Reflect on Our Journey: I hope we can both reflect on everything we’ve learned. It will be important to assess how far we’ve come as educators and celebrate the growth we’ve.
A Journey of Mutual Growth
I’m sure that being a mentor will be a rewarding experience not just for my mentee but for me as well. Teaching is also about learning and sharing and I am sure I will learn from my mentee and gather fresh perspectives.
Here’s to a fantastic year of exploration, growth, and inspiration!
Cheers to new beginnings!
