Teaching requires personal strength, continuous growth and adaptation. While many educators are passionate about their work, they may sometimes feel isolated or overwhelmed by the demands of their roles (in the classroom and beyond). This is where mentorship and coaching make a difference.
The benefits of meeting a mentor:
Professional Development
Mentors and coaches (read about the difference between them here) provide valuable insights and feedback that can enhance your creativity and refresh your instructional strategies. They offer personalised guidance tailored to your needs, helping to refine skills and stay up-to-date on best practices in education. Whereas professional learning offered at school may or may not be relevant, seeing a mentor means you steer the session and get exactly what you need.
Emotional Support
Teaching and school leadership can be emotionally taxing. A mentor or coach, who has experience in the classroom, serves as a supportive figure and understands your challenges. This relationship can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a safe space to discuss your frustrations and successes. It's beneficial to talk to someone who not only understands the highs and lows of teaching and leading a team but also is aware of the constraints of working in the education system.
Networking Opportunities
It can be hard but rewarding for classroom teachers to network beyond their immediate school community. Engaging with a mentor or coach often opens doors to new professional networks. These connections can lead to collaborative opportunities, sharing of resources and exposure to different teaching methodologies, ultimately benefiting your career growth. A simple way to do this is to join our Ex-Teachers' Club. You can connect with a community of like-minded people (some of whom have left the classroom). Our group offers support, celebration and new perspectives on your career.
Increased Confidence
Whether you are new to teaching or have had a challenging year that's left you questioning yourself, talking to a mentor can boost your confidence. Through constructive feedback and encouragement, a mentor helps you develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy, which translates into feelings of resilience, professional possibility and empowerment. It might make you feel more excited to return to school in the new year or clarify where you want your career to take you next.
Lifelong Learning
Education is an ever-evolving field. Teaching isn't the same as it was even 5 years ago. There's new technology to learn, different industries to use your skills in, and exciting opportunities in and beyond the classroom. A mentor or coach, who has experience in schools and the broader education field, can help you tap into what you're passionate about and remind you how exciting it is to be a learner yourself.
The journey of a teacher is filled with opportunities for growth and development. Seeking a mentor or coach can provide the support, resources, and encouragement necessary to navigate the complexities of the profession. By investing in professional growth through mentorship, you can enhance your skills, boost your confidence and creativity, and take control of your own career path.
Book a free introductory mentoring session with Rachel to see how it can benefit you.
Research about the impact of mentoring on teachers:
New report shows teachers who mentor each other are better educators from The University of Melbourne (2025)
Re-imagining teacher mentoring for the future in Professional Development in Education (2025)
Mentoring as meaningful professional development: The influence of mentoring on in-service teachers' identity and practice in International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education (2020)
