JEA mentors and members of the Mentor Committee posed for a photo outside Buca di Bippo, where they had dinner following training at the JEA/NSPA convention in San Francisco.

JEA mentors and members of the Mentor Committee posed for a photo outside Buca di Beppo, where they had dinner following training at the JEA/NSPA convention in San Francisco.

by Julie Dodd
Mentoring Committee co-chair

Julie Dodd, Kathy Schrier, Marilyn Chapman and Janice Hatfield. Photo by Judy Robinson

Julie Dodd, Kathy Schrier, Marilyn Chapman and Janice Hatfield paused in reviewing the menu for a photo. Photo by Judy Robinson

The JEA/NSPA conventions are when we provide training the new mentors and extended training for the experienced mentors. More than 25 mentors and Mentor Committee members attended the JEA/NSPA convention in San Francisco, April 25-27.

Following a full day of training on Thursday, the mentors and committee members enjoyed a festive dinner at Buca di Beppo. Linda Barrington made reservations for us, and we were seated together in a small dining room.

Martha Rothwell, Corneilia Harris, Kay Windsor and Shelia Jones were some of the mentors who attended the group dinner. Photo by Judy Robinson

Martha Rothwell, Corneilia Harris, Kay Windsor and Shelia Jones were some of the mentors who attended the group dinner. Photo by Judy Robinson

The group swapped stories about their mentoring experiences and their own teaching and discussed the importance of the mentoring program. The new mentors and experienced mentors had the opportunity to meet each other.

Even though the mentors are career journalism teachers, were active in their state scholastic press organizations, and have attended JEA conventions, many of them had never met the veteran media advisers from other states. So the Mentoring Program accomplishes that.