In January 2023, I was a new old teacher fumbling my way through AP Statistics for the first time. One of the things I understood theoretically, but experienced practically, was that great mentorship is invaluable. In fact, it is so critical that Luke and Lindsey of Math Medic join rookie and veteran teachers annually in a no-cost mentorship program. My first time through the curriculum I had no idea there was a mentorship program available since my students and I started our class in January (4×4 block schedule). But, Luke and several others were my unofficial mentors because I reached out to them constantly, and even more importantly, they answered in a helpful, judgement-free manner!
After teaching a full year of AP Statistics in a single jam-packed semester, I found out about the Stats Medic mentorship program. Where some experienced teachers had two or three or even four “padawan” assigned to them, I volunteered to be a mentor to just one new teacher, if Luke and Lindsey thought I had enough to offer. In the typical AP Statistics way, they welcomed me in and matched me with a third year teacher (but first year AP Stats teacher) in Texas.
Here’s the thing, it’s not just the mentee getting all the benefits. It’s great for the mentor too. I really looked forward to our monthly phone calls or zoom chats. At first we followed the suggested topics for each meeting, but we ended up straying from that by about November. My mentee’s situation was somewhat unique since she was also a head varsity coach (for the first time) and expecting her first child in April. Lots of firsts! We did talk about AP Statistics, but more often than not we talked about coaching (which I used to do in my 20s and early 30s) and how to best prepare for maternity leave within the strict no-contact requirements of her district.
There are several things that the Medics do to create community in a low or no cost way and I figured we in the AP Calculus world could try our hand(s) and some of these. The AP Calculus Mentorship Program is one that is definitely going to happen this year! And BIG NEWS, Mark Kiraly and I are going to lead it!
If you would like to participate in the mentorship program, either as a mentor or as a mentee, please complete this form. The deadline to complete the form is Sunday August 25th.
My blog has tons of reflections about being a new teacher, but this one in particular might resonate with some of you.
Math, Teaching, and Teaching Math 