We hear a great deal of talk about mentors, but what are they? Webster defines them as "a wise advisor" or "a teacher or coach." A teacher mentor should serve as a safety net for new teachers. They should not do the new teacher’s job, but be there as a resource and support system.

Those of you willing to serve as mentors this year have been asked to submit your name via the Web form below. We will list those names by areas of expertise in a downloadable document at the bottom of this page. By signing up by area of expertise, you agree that teachers may call on you for assistance in these particular areas throughout the year.

You may also choose to mentor a new teacher. Your duty during the year is to serve as a resource and offer support for that new teacher. We ask that you not serve as a mentor to more than one teacher during the year. One-teacher to one-mentor is the best and most effective policy.

For too long we have assumed that a degree and certification are all that is needed to be successful in our profession. With all the changes in public education and experiences needed to do the job, no new teacher can be completely ready straight out of college. The mentor program is one way we can help new teachers be more successful.  

If you have questions regarding the VATAT Mentor Program, please contact the VATAT office at 512-472-3128. Please give us feedback about using the program at vatat@vatat.org.