Mentors - A Tribute to a Special Mentor and Friend!
I had the most amazing mentor when I moved to Arizona and began teaching Kindergarten. Now mind you, I had already been teaching for over 10 years. But when you change grade levels, schools and states, a great mentor makes for a successful transition and teaching experience.
Kate Sauder was older and much wiser than I was. But she and I became a team who taught a Kindergarten class together. I taught Reading/Language Arts/Writing in the morning and Kate taught Math, Science, Social Studies and Bible in the afternoon. We set up the room together, with the help of her wonderful husband. We planned out the curriculum so that my Reading and Writing would go with the Social Studies Units that Kate was teaching. The collaboration between us was incredible.
So what about Kate made her such a fantastic mentor?
1. Her commitment to teaching. She wanted the students to be successful. In order for that to happen, she and I had to be a successful team. She believed in us as a team. She took the time to communicate and collaborate with me and I with her.
2. Kate led by example. She was a master teacher. She took the time to help me improve the way I presented information and taught skills. I watched her teach. I saw how she interacted with the students. Her soft, calm, firm voice commanded respect and excellence in all that the students did. I so enjoyed watching her.
3. Kate’s many years of experience showed in everything she did. I wanted to be the kind of teacher that she was. I was a good teacher but I wanted to be a great teacher. Kate willingly shared her knowledge and expertise with me.
4. Kate’s faith and values were unwavering. She lived her faith and it showed in her teaching and how she mentored me. She encouraged me to try new teaching methods and praised me in all that I did even when my trying something new didn’t work real well. She would always say, “You tried. Remember, like our students, we are never perfect the first time we try something.”
5. Kate was always about learning. She attended many workshops to keep up on the current educational initiatives.
6. Kate was loved by everyone-students, parents, other teachers and community members. Every parent wanted their child in Kate’s class and students wanted to be in her class.
7. Kate listened to me. She listened to my thoughts, questions and concerns. She provided helpful insight into my teaching, answered my questions and put my concerns to rest. She also gave me constructive advice when I needed it that made me a better teacher.
8. Kate was the most caring and dedicated mentor anyone could ever have. Since Kate passed away, there has been a void in my life. I miss her. I miss talking to her about teaching even though I moved from Arizona back to New Hampshire.
Kate would be proud of me for getting my masters degree. She was always proud of me for the kind of teacher I became.
Kate Sauder was older and much wiser than I was. But she and I became a team who taught a Kindergarten class together. I taught Reading/Language Arts/Writing in the morning and Kate taught Math, Science, Social Studies and Bible in the afternoon. We set up the room together, with the help of her wonderful husband. We planned out the curriculum so that my Reading and Writing would go with the Social Studies Units that Kate was teaching. The collaboration between us was incredible.
So what about Kate made her such a fantastic mentor?
1. Her commitment to teaching. She wanted the students to be successful. In order for that to happen, she and I had to be a successful team. She believed in us as a team. She took the time to communicate and collaborate with me and I with her.
2. Kate led by example. She was a master teacher. She took the time to help me improve the way I presented information and taught skills. I watched her teach. I saw how she interacted with the students. Her soft, calm, firm voice commanded respect and excellence in all that the students did. I so enjoyed watching her.
3. Kate’s many years of experience showed in everything she did. I wanted to be the kind of teacher that she was. I was a good teacher but I wanted to be a great teacher. Kate willingly shared her knowledge and expertise with me.
4. Kate’s faith and values were unwavering. She lived her faith and it showed in her teaching and how she mentored me. She encouraged me to try new teaching methods and praised me in all that I did even when my trying something new didn’t work real well. She would always say, “You tried. Remember, like our students, we are never perfect the first time we try something.”
5. Kate was always about learning. She attended many workshops to keep up on the current educational initiatives.
6. Kate was loved by everyone-students, parents, other teachers and community members. Every parent wanted their child in Kate’s class and students wanted to be in her class.
7. Kate listened to me. She listened to my thoughts, questions and concerns. She provided helpful insight into my teaching, answered my questions and put my concerns to rest. She also gave me constructive advice when I needed it that made me a better teacher.
8. Kate was the most caring and dedicated mentor anyone could ever have. Since Kate passed away, there has been a void in my life. I miss her. I miss talking to her about teaching even though I moved from Arizona back to New Hampshire.
Kate would be proud of me for getting my masters degree. She was always proud of me for the kind of teacher I became.