JEA’s newest mentors, Joy McCaleb, Karl Grubaugh and Steve Wahlfeldt, attended mentor training in July at the JEA Advisers Institute in Las Vegas.
Photo by Kelly Furnas
Certainly adept in teaching journalism and advising student media, three new mentors joined the JEA Mentor Program after finishing three days of intensive training, held at the JEA Advisers Institute in July. They are the 10th group of mentors to be trained for the Mentor Program.
Joy McCaleb is the first JEA mentor from Tennessee and is supported by the Tennessee Scholastic Press Association.
Karl Grubaugh is JEA’s seventh mentor from California; he is supported by the Yellow Chair Foundation and will work with new journalism teachers in the northern part of the state.
Stephen Wahlfeldt joins mentor Sheila Jones in Colorado; they are supported by the Colorado Scholastic Media Association.
During mentor training these experienced journalism teachers focused on new skills for their new job of mentoring.
Instructional components of their training included the following:
- Learning to observe, coach and give constructive feedback to peers, including strategies for self-reflection
- Utilizing best instructional practices, classroom management and organization
- Dealing with difficult or resistant people and conflict resolution
- Enhancing communication skills and building relationships
- Clarifying mentor’s roles and responsibilities
- Finding mentees and getting them to commit to the program
Joy McCaleb works on a chart showing one of the phases of first-year teaching.
At the conclusion of the three days, the mentors provided anonymous feedback on the training:
- This was a strong overview of program. I now have a better picture of expectations and a vision for outcomes.
- I appreciate all the time and energy that has gone into this program. I’m looking forward to being part of it.
- I feel so ready to do this.
- Learning from experts was awesome.
Colorado mentor Stephen Wahlfeldt talks with a partner about the challenges new teachers face.
The next mentor training will be held at the 2017 Advisers Institute in July 2017. For information about joining the program, contact the Mentor Program chair, Linda Barrington, at mentoring@jea.org.