A Great Teacher is a Great Mentor

Think of the best teacher you ever had.

I’m sure they were a great mentor to you. Yes, they taught you the subject well. But other teachers taught well too. This teacher stood out because they took you under their wing. They encouraged you when you needed encouraging. They challenged you when you needed challenging. They let you go your own way when you needed to go your own way.

They seemed to know just what you needed at any particular time.

And they were always there for you. 

They saw your potential and weren’t satisfied with you being just good. They wanted you to  be great.

You made mistakes along the way. They guided you to take responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences. But they never judged you.

Being a school leader can be incredibly rewarding—and incredibly hard. You’re carrying the hopes of students, the expectations of staff, and the demands of policy, usually all at once. And you’re expected to do it without enough time to pause, reflect, or ask for support.

You think back to that teacher you had. What would they do right now if they were here? What would they say? Sometimes you hear their voice as if they were standing right next to you.

Other times, though, you wish they were right next to you.

I can never be that mentor but I can be your mentor now.

I can listen when you need someone to listent to you. I can encourage when you need encouraging; challenge when you need challenging; find clarity when you need it; and just be when you need someone to just be beside you.

That’s where this mentoring program comes in. It’s a chance to step out of the noise and have a trusted partner alongside you. Someone who understands what it’s like to sit in the principal’s chair, who won’t judge, but will listen, challenge, and help you see things more clearly.

This isn’t about quick fixes or the latest leadership fad. It’s about you having the space, clarity, and confidence to lead well, so that your school can be a place where both people and learning thrive.