Many beginning teachers share they appreciate working in small groups with other novice teachers. The two videos in this category demonstrate two types of groups.  Problems to Possibilities is led by a mentor and it includes novice teachers who are new to the school, first time in the profession, and career changers.  Participating in a group helps them solve common problems together. CLICK HERE to see the agenda for this group session. Ask your mentor to assist you in setting up a group for problem solving.

Sharing Best Practices shows a novice teacher leading a group! This novice teacher is taking on a leadership role and her mentor helps her organize the meeting behind the scenes. The mentor does not attend this meeting. CLICK here to see the agenda for a Sharing Best Practices group mentoring session. This is self – mentoring in action!

The First Year Matters book (see BOOKS on this web site) also has a novice teacher group mentoring agenda template for each month. Refer to page XXX in the First Year Matters book.

Group Mentoring: Problems to Possibilities A mentor leads a problem solving session with novice teachers using a protocol that is repeated each week. Refer to PDF Group Mentoring for more information. Prompts: What was the topic of this meeting? How does the mentor leader structure the meeting so participants can talk? Could a meeting like this be useful in your school?

Sharing Best Practices: Emerging Teacher Leaders A novice teacher leads a group session with her colleagues. Her mentor works behind the scenes to support her in organizing the agenda and aligning the discussion to the state standards. Refer to PDF Group Mentoring for more information. Prompts: How could a process like this work in your school or district? Why is it important for novice teachers in their first three years to take on leadership roles?