Chapter 7: Mindful Mentoring in Action

One way to influence the wellbeing of our most vulnerable teachers is to assess the ways in which our mentor programs engage novice teachers in meaningful conversations to support both their professional and emotional growth. This intentional focus on teacher wellbeing expands mentoring conversations beyond the typical discussions of professional content learning to the deeper more individualized human experiences teachers face in the classroom. These experiences include how fulfilled teachers feel in their day-to-day teaching, as well as their ability to minimize their own stress and improve their wellness through learned practices.

At some point in my career, I came across the words of Buckminster Fuller: “I always say to myself: What is the most important thing we can think about at this extraordinary moment?” (Gabel & Walker, 2006). When I first read this quote, my immediate response was that the most important thing we need to do in education right now is to pay attention to the growth and development of the whole teacher. When we prioritize educator wellbeing and integrate practical ways for teachers to experience wellness, we help them flourish, which I believe ultimately contributes to improving teacher retention.