Meet The Mentor Coaches

Remember your first day of work?

How did you feel?  

Stressed?  

Overwhelmed?

That is exactly how first and second year teachers feel coming fresh out of college.  In fact research shows that many new teachers leave the profession within the first five years.  An astonishing 50% of new teachers find other means of employment.  In an effort to help combat the obstacles and frustration that new teachers face, Linn-Mar now has three mentor coaches committed to helping beginning teachers handle classroom management, lesson planning, co-teaching, and curriculum needs. By providing guidance, goal setting, observation, and reflective conversations Mentors are working to help new teachers find success in the teaching profession.

Carol Kesl-Elementary Mentor Coach “The Teacher Leadership Plan will offer students and teachers alike, the support, explicit instruction and guidance to reach their highest potential both academically and professionally.”  Jennie Lorenzen-Middle School Mentor Coach "A key to achieving Linn-Mar’s vision and mission is to provide our students with quality teaching.  I’m excited for the opportunities the Teacher Leadership Program will provide for teachers. Through this program, teachers will learn from each other and gain knowledge and resources to enhance their teaching, so we can make a positive impact on student achievement at Linn-Mar.” Sue Atwater-High School Mentor Coach “As a mentor coach I am committed to the task of helping beginning teachers find success and gratification in the teaching profession. Through a well-planned mentor and induction program we will support and assist our new teachers in becoming highly effective educators. An effective teacher will provide a high quality education for our students.  Every student deserves to have a confident and well-prepared teacher in front of them everyday.  This program will help us reach that goal.”  It's only the first week of school, but these Mentor Coaches have attended new teacher training and orientation meetings with new staff, worked to help them set up classrooms, and focus on first day lesson planning.   Our Mentor Coaches have also been working with induction specialists, building based staff that help provide immediate support when the Mentor Coach is working with staff in another room or building.  The role of the induction specialist is to provide quick guidance on building procedures, daily questions, and basic information.  The Mentor Coach and the induction specialist work in tandem to ensure teachers are getting the support teachers need to meet the curriculum requirements of the district and state and to increase student achievement.  By impacting teaching, we know we will impact learning.