Scio School District has a unique mentoring program model in our region. Michelle Lefeber, a second grade teacher and their lead mentor has embraced the opportunity to create a dynamic mentoring program for novice teachers through a train-the-trainer model.
Michelle was seeking a leadership role and after attending LBL ESD’s New Teacher Mentor Academy Kickoff in August of 2021, she was inspired to help design and lead a mentoring program in her district. She felt she has benefitted from mentors throughout her career and this was a way to give back. Michelle feels having a program led by a teacher for teachers offers tremendous benefits. She has 24 years of experience in the district and the community to share and has her finger on the pulse of what is happening, allowing her to pick topics that are both timely and relevant in the district context. One of the most compelling benefits of this model is the environment it creates, one in which novice teachers feel safe to be genuine and vulnerable about their struggles and their need for support.
Michelle has participated for the past two years in LBL’s yearlong New Teacher Mentor Academy and takes what she learns back to her mentoring team and novice teachers. She has learned that differentiation in the program is critical as Scio provides mentoring for both novice teachers and those new to the district. Participants come to her monthly training based on the relevancy of the topic, resulting in everyone feeling like their time is valued.
