MASA Mentor Program

Philosophy
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) wants its members to be supported well so that they thrive and achieve success. We believe that a strong mentoring program will support administrators new to their roles in building their capacity to lead their schools in student achievement growth. The MASA Mentor Program provides new members with resources to address their specific development needs. We use multiple strategies, including guidance and coaching, networking, training, emotional, professional and social support.

Purpose of the Program

Ensure that professional development contributes to high quality practice
Ensure that the experience impacts leadership quality in professional practice
Provide a base of expertise for people who are emerging leaders in Minnesota
Introduce administrators to their new roles and to other administrators who can offer support
Help administrators new to their roles experience a good transition with a guide to assist them
Provide an experienced colleague to lean on for emotional, professional, and social support
Reduce a feeling of professional isolation
Provide a safe and confidential environment for candid discussions
Prepare administrators to be high quality mentors

Description of Program:

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is the process by which an experienced person provides advice, support and encouragement to an administrator new to his/her role. The original “Mentor” was described by Homer as the “wise and trusted counselor.”

The Benefits of Mentoring

In various studies across many fields, being mentored has consistently been linked with academic and professional achievement. Mentees receive guidance and advice, report higher levels of confidence, and gain access to networks and resources. It’s not only the mentee that benefits, but also the mentor. Mentors appreciate the opportunities for self-reflection and for networking with new colleagues.

The Mentoring Relationship

Mentoring relationships that start with a clear understanding of what is required by both parties will be rewarding. A successful mentoring relationship requires confidentiality, trust between the partners, and regular/frequent interaction.

The MASA Mentor Program Structure

The program is supported at the state and regional levels. MASA’s role involves guiding consistency and collaboration across the state. MASA provides a framework upon which regions can tailor mentoring processes for their mentor/mentee teams to encourage efficient and effective use of limited resources. MASA also partly subsidizes the cost of mentoring by providing resources, materials, related training, and a $500 stipend for mentors.

Eligibility

The mentor program will provide first year mentoring to any MASA member who is new to their role or new to their role in Minnesota. MASA may also provide mentoring to members who make special application for services based on extenuating circumstances.

Second Year Mentoring Benefit

The MASA Board has authorized mentoring arrangements to be extended, if conditions warrant, beyond the one-year mentoring arrangements. An application requesting extended mentoring arrangements is required and must be submitted to the region coordinator of mentoring services. A request for extended mentoring arrangements may be made by the Mentor, the Mentee, or by the Mentee’s School District.

Process

Each MASA region will identify and notify MASA of one or more regional coordinators/contacts.
MASA and the regional contact will coordinate information to identify MASA members in the region who are new to their roles and eligible for mentoring subsidy.
The regional leadership team will recruit mentors through its regionally defined process. The process will include reference to MASA guidelines regarding the commitment to mentoring and program expectations. Regions will provide instructions on how to volunteer to serve as a mentor, highlighting the individual’s professional expertise.

In the mentoring team, both mentor and mentee must be MASA members to receive the program stipend. Mentors may be Active or Retired members.

While it is preferable for both members of the mentoring team to be in the same role, it is not required that both members of the team be in the same component group. Some regions may have small numbers of certain component group members and may have a mentee who would benefit from a mentor who has experience in the practice area of the mentee but is not currently practicing in that area. For example, a superintendent with experience in curriculum leadership may be a suitable match for a curriculum leader if other mentors in that component group are not available. If necessary for regions with smaller numbers of members of certain component groups, mentors may come from another region.
MASA will support new mentors with professional development and resources.
The regional leadership team will initiate contact with the administrator new to his/her role about the Mentor Program and discuss the new mentee’s interests and needs, the availability of mentors, and their preferences regarding a mentor.
At the beginning of the year, the region will match the new MASA member’s needs with a mentor. The regional contact confirms the team’s appointment.
The regional contact will send the list of mentees and their mentors to MASA.
MASA will send the $500 stipend for each mentor to the region.
The mentoring partners will initiate their work together, identify topics and needs, timelines for meeting, methods of connecting, and establish their relationship.
The region will provide an accountability and reporting process to the mentor and mentee.
The region may establish a regional feedback process to inform continuous improvement of regional support of the program.
MASA will conduct an online survey of mentors and mentees and regional contacts to inform program development.
MASA will recognize mentors for their contribution.
MASA and regional leadership teams will encourage mentors and mentees to consider continuing their work together in a professional relationship.

Expectations

MASA

Guide consistency and collaboration across the state
Provide a framework upon which regions can tailor mentoring processes for their mentor/mentee teams to encourage efficient and effective use of limited resources
Partly subsidize the cost of mentoring by providing a $500 stipend for mentors, resources and materials, and related training.

MASA Regional Leadership Team

Assist the mentor and mentee in establishing their initial contact
Take steps to prevent conflicts of interest between the mentor and mentee
Select mentors who have interest and expertise
Establish and manage the mentoring process as outlined in the process steps above
Provide the mentee with regional contact information
Establish/coordinate/facilitate mentorship activities within the region.

Mentor/Mentee Team

Establish ground rules for the mentoring relationship
Establish timeline and methods of meetings/contact, including face-to-face meetings
Hold periodic meetings with best practice topics
Review the MASA web site, including the “Members Only” resources.

Mentor

Be an MASA Member (Active or Retired)
Share skills, knowledge, and expertise
Exhibit enthusiasm; value growth and ongoing learning
Possess a global vision of education
Demonstrate a positive attitude and act as a positive role model
Create an open, confidential, and candid relationship, encouraging the growth of trust and confidence
Listen “actively” and communicate respectfully
Approach each meeting fully prepared
Question and find out what is important to the mentee, exploring skills, aptitudes and aspirations
Challenge assumptions and act as a sounding board
Gain significant personal and career development from mentoring.

Mentee

Be an MASA Member
Self-Assess regarding professional learning needs and interests
Be positive and committed to the mentor/mentee relationship
Understand that the role of the mentor is to challenge and encourage but not to provide answers
Approach each meeting fully prepared
Be a good listener and communicator
Accept constructive criticism and offer feedback
Initiate contact with the mentor whenever questions or needs arise.

MASA Extended (Second Year) Mentoring Arrangement Application, 2023-24

MASA Mentoring Program Description [PDF]

MASA Regional Mentoring Handbook

This handbook is designed to assist Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) members in various regions throughout Minnesota as they set up mentoring relationships between current superintendents and new superintendents. These mentoring relationships are designed to strengthen the superintendency.

In this handbook you will find information specifically pertaining to mentors, mentees and the regional program managers. You will also find best practices, pitfalls to avoid and hands-on resources.

The information provided here will hopefully serve as a starting place for a broader understanding of various mentorship programs and how to make your mentor/ mentee relationships positive and effective.

The MASA Regional Mentoring Handbook has been produced
by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators
(June 2018)

651-645-6272
members@mnasa.org
www.mnasa.org