Teachers Supporting Teachers

Flags from different countries fill the ceiling tiles of Kendall Dorey’s classroom. Some have clothespins with students’ names clipped to the countries they're from.

“It’s a way for them to connect and build community,” said Dorey.

It’s one small way she makes her students feel welcome, a feeling she experienced as she began her first year as an English Learner (EL) teacher at Lewis & Clark Middle.

“Coming here feels like this is what I love, and this is where I belong,” said Dorey.

Helping new teachers find that sense of connection and community is part of the Omaha Public Schools teacher mentorship program. While our district has provided mentor support for years, the goal now is to create a consistent districtwide system.

“We wanted to create a structure where new teachers have a trusted, experienced colleague they can connect with for guidance, encouragement, problem-solving and instructional support,” said LaTasha Muhammad, Omaha Public Schools coordinator of professional learning and development. “It is really about building relationships and making sure our new teachers know they are not navigating their first years alone.”

For Dorey, that person was already a familiar face. Her mentor, Cari Taylor, was her practicum teacher two and a half years ago.

“The most full circle moment ever,” said Dorey. “I was a student when I was with her, and now we are colleagues.”

Even though Taylor is the mentor, she says she’s learned a lot from Kendall, too.

“She helps me just as much, if not more than I help her with a multitude of things,” said Taylor. “The learning just keeps going, and there is no lull in anything if Kendall Dorey’s there.”

For Mia Huffman, a first-year teacher at Fullerton Elementary, having a mentor means having someone to turn to for everyday questions that come with teaching first grade.

Sometimes you don’t know what you’re supposed to do right away with all the materials you have,” said Huffman. “She’s helped me grab those materials, shown me how to use them and be prepared the best that I can be as a teacher.”

Huffman’s mentor, Abbegail Sturdivant, also teaches the first grade at Fullerton Elementary. She gives Huffman advice on lesson planning, classroom routines and how to communicate with families.

Sturdivant remembers what it was like to be a new teacher and have the same questions.

“I was a little afraid to ask for help at first,” said Sturdivant. “I want to make Mia feel like she is on a team and she’s not on her own.”

Huffman says that the support from Sturdivant has extended beyond the classroom.   

“I’ve become more connected with the school and other staff members,” said Huffman. “She’s helped me get to know them.”

Omaha Public Schools is making mentoring part of professional learning and support.

“Our goal is to create a strong sense of belonging and provide teachers with the support they need to be successful,” said Muhammad. “When we retain great teachers, our students benefit from that stability and experience.”

For Dorey, it all comes back to the students in her classroom.

“The kids deserve to have a great education,” said Dorey. “Having people that you can rely on to ensure that you can provide students the best educational experience possible is what everybody needs.”