WEBVTT
00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:03.279
Welcome.
00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:11.039
This podcast is a quick introduction and orientation to the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools mentoring program.
00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:16.640
If you're listening to this, thank you for choosing to serve as a mentor with UAPCS.
00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:29.760
Whether you've mentored for many years or this is your first time serving in this role, we want you to know how grateful we are for your willingness to invest your time and experience in helping other charter school leaders.
00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.280
This year, we're introducing a refreshed mentoring program.
00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:44.960
While much of what you've been doing has been incredibly successful, we've created a more consistent framework so every mentor has a common understanding of what mentoring looks like at UAPCS.
00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:47.200
Why mentoring matters.
00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.479
Leadership can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating.
00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:58.000
Many of the people we mentor are navigating situations they've never encountered before.
00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:00.880
Sometimes they simply need an answer to a question.
00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:06.640
Other times they need someone who understands the unique challenges of leading a Utah charter school.
00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:15.200
The greatest value you provide isn't simply answering questions, it's helping another leader feel supported, encouraged, and confident.
00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:21.359
Our goal isn't to create dependence, our goal is to build leadership capacity across Utah.
00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:25.120
The three C's of the UAPCS mentoring program.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.959
Everything we do is built around three simple principles.
00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:31.359
Connect, coach, cultivate.
00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:32.640
Connect.
00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:34.879
Take time to build trust.
00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:36.879
Listen before leading.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.760
Seek to understand before offering advice.
00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:44.480
Because every successful mentoring relationship begins with a connection.
00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:45.840
Coach.
00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:50.239
Rather than solving every problem, help leaders think through their options.
00:01:50.480 --> 00:02:01.680
Ask questions, share your experiences, encourage confidence, because the best mentors don't create followers, they develop leaders and cultivate.
00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.799
Leave every leader stronger than you found them.
00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:06.400
Share resources.
00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:18.719
Introduce people to experts, recommend additional professional learning, and help leaders build systems and relationships that will continue benefiting them long after your mentoring assignment has ended.
00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:21.599
We have two types of mentoring.
00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:28.080
One of the biggest challenges this year is recognizing that not every mentoring assignment looks the same.
00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:35.120
Sometimes you'll receive an introduction email, answer a question, share a document or template, and the assignment is complete.
00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:36.879
That's great mentoring.
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.240
Other times you'll mentor someone over several months.
00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:48.400
You might check in monthly, visit the school, answer questions as they arise, and help them navigate a variety of leadership challenges.
00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:50.560
That's also great mentoring.
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:57.280
Whether your mentoring lasts one conversation or one year, our expectations remain the same.
00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:00.560
Connect, coach, and cultivate.
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:07.039
So, speaking of expectations, there are just a few things we ask every mentor to remember.
00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:12.080
Respond to the new mentoring introductions within 24 hours.
00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:17.360
Document every mentoring interaction using the Google Tracking document.
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:19.520
The link can be found in your handbook.
00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:24.080
It will also be included in the calendar invite on the day that reports are due.
00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:29.439
And reach out proactively if you're working with someone over an extended period.
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:39.199
If you think additional mentoring hours would benefit a school, simply contact Shannon Greer, our director of training, before exceeding the approved hours.
00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:43.680
And most importantly, don't underestimate the value of encouragement.
00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:49.759
Sometimes a 30-minute conversation changes the trajectory of an entire school year.
00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:54.080
In closing, thank you again for agreeing to serve.
00:03:54.319 --> 00:04:02.240
Utah's charter schools are stronger because experienced charter leaders are willing to help those who are just beginning their journey.
00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:05.919
I hope you'll view this opportunity as more than answering questions.
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:12.960
It's an opportunity to build relationships, develop leaders, and strengthen Utah's charter school community.
00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.639
Thank you for being part of the UAPCS Mentoring Program.
00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:23.439
Together, we'll continue to connect with purpose, coach with intention, and cultivate leadership.
00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:03.279
Welcome.
00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:11.039
This podcast is a quick introduction and orientation to the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools mentoring program.
00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:16.640
If you're listening to this, thank you for choosing to serve as a mentor with UAPCS.
00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:29.760
Whether you've mentored for many years or this is your first time serving in this role, we want you to know how grateful we are for your willingness to invest your time and experience in helping other charter school leaders.
00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.280
This year, we're introducing a refreshed mentoring program.
00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:44.960
While much of what you've been doing has been incredibly successful, we've created a more consistent framework so every mentor has a common understanding of what mentoring looks like at UAPCS.
00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:47.200
Why mentoring matters.
00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.479
Leadership can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating.
00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:58.000
Many of the people we mentor are navigating situations they've never encountered before.
00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:00.880
Sometimes they simply need an answer to a question.
00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:06.640
Other times they need someone who understands the unique challenges of leading a Utah charter school.
00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:15.200
The greatest value you provide isn't simply answering questions, it's helping another leader feel supported, encouraged, and confident.
00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:21.359
Our goal isn't to create dependence, our goal is to build leadership capacity across Utah.
00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:25.120
The three C's of the UAPCS mentoring program.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.959
Everything we do is built around three simple principles.
00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:31.359
Connect, coach, cultivate.
00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:32.640
Connect.
00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:34.879
Take time to build trust.
00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:36.879
Listen before leading.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.760
Seek to understand before offering advice.
00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:44.480
Because every successful mentoring relationship begins with a connection.
00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:45.840
Coach.
00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:50.239
Rather than solving every problem, help leaders think through their options.
00:01:50.480 --> 00:02:01.680
Ask questions, share your experiences, encourage confidence, because the best mentors don't create followers, they develop leaders and cultivate.
00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.799
Leave every leader stronger than you found them.
00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:06.400
Share resources.
00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:18.719
Introduce people to experts, recommend additional professional learning, and help leaders build systems and relationships that will continue benefiting them long after your mentoring assignment has ended.
00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:21.599
We have two types of mentoring.
00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:28.080
One of the biggest challenges this year is recognizing that not every mentoring assignment looks the same.
00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:35.120
Sometimes you'll receive an introduction email, answer a question, share a document or template, and the assignment is complete.
00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:36.879
That's great mentoring.
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.240
Other times you'll mentor someone over several months.
00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:48.400
You might check in monthly, visit the school, answer questions as they arise, and help them navigate a variety of leadership challenges.
00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:50.560
That's also great mentoring.
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:57.280
Whether your mentoring lasts one conversation or one year, our expectations remain the same.
00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:00.560
Connect, coach, and cultivate.
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:07.039
So, speaking of expectations, there are just a few things we ask every mentor to remember.
00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:12.080
Respond to the new mentoring introductions within 24 hours.
00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:17.360
Document every mentoring interaction using the Google Tracking document.
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:19.520
The link can be found in your handbook.
00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:24.080
It will also be included in the calendar invite on the day that reports are due.
00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:29.439
And reach out proactively if you're working with someone over an extended period.
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:39.199
If you think additional mentoring hours would benefit a school, simply contact Shannon Greer, our director of training, before exceeding the approved hours.
00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:43.680
And most importantly, don't underestimate the value of encouragement.
00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:49.759
Sometimes a 30-minute conversation changes the trajectory of an entire school year.
00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:54.080
In closing, thank you again for agreeing to serve.
00:03:54.319 --> 00:04:02.240
Utah's charter schools are stronger because experienced charter leaders are willing to help those who are just beginning their journey.
00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:05.919
I hope you'll view this opportunity as more than answering questions.
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:12.960
It's an opportunity to build relationships, develop leaders, and strengthen Utah's charter school community.
00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.639
Thank you for being part of the UAPCS Mentoring Program.
00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:23.439
Together, we'll continue to connect with purpose, coach with intention, and cultivate leadership.
