Mentors Matter
We are excited to announce a new program, as we partner with Michelle Englund, a recently retired teacher from Mattoon. Pre-service and newly hired teachers may have all kinds of worries as they begin their news jobs – new colleagues, new students, new town. Whatever those worries may be, our new Retired Teacher Mentor Program will be an extra support for new teachers. As this initiative gains traction, the program aims to identify a group of retired teachers across 18 counties willing to help foster the next generation of teachers. Englund was previously the school-based coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, equipped with valuable experience working with mentors. Furthermore, she is ready to educate the mentors about best practices and key elements for effective mentoring. As she was starting out as a new teacher herself, Englund was impacted by mentors as well. Individuals like Linda Pierce inspired her to become a better teacher and make learning fun and engaging for students. Now, we are excited to see the support passed on and the potential as new, meaningful connections are made. If you know of any retired teachers interested in mentoring, please contact Michelle Englund at 217-254-6592 or mmenglund@eiu.edu. |
