One way to differentiate mentoring and meet the varied needs of novice teachers is to organize mentoring groups. Group Mentoring supports first year teachers as well as novices in years 1-3. Groups can be created by experience levels or used to support career changers who bring unique issues to their practice.

Review this Overview of Group Mentoring to learn the rationale for group mentoring and see the agendas for two types of groups. https://mentoringinaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Action-Plan-for-Group-Mentoring.pdf

The Sharing Best Practices video shows a novice teacher leading the group.  The Problems to Possibilities video targets one common issue the novices were all facing.

	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?
	Support for Mentoring: A Principal's Perspective A principal shares why group mentoring is a powerful experience in her school. Prompts: Why is it crucial to have the principal promoting a group mentoring philosophy? How did her support influence the process? How would you share this idea with your principal?