The 2024-2025 Mentor Program Initial Application Deadline is October 18, 2024!

Welcome to the VTSCA Mentoring Program!  VTSCA believes school counselors play a pivotal role in a student’s academic, social/emotional, and career development.  In response to the need for school counselors to receive high quality mentoring, we have established a program to offer additional support to new school counselors or current school counselors moving to a different grade level of service.  It is our belief that the provision of structured support for our new counselors will greatly impact the students we serve.

School Counselors are called to be collaborators, leaders and change agents in order to address the multifaceted needs of the students and families they serve.  School Counselors are also called to be social justice advocates to address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion which negatively impact the students they serve. These roles are complex and require continued professional development and a strong professional identity for the school counselor. VTSCA adheres to the code of ethics and professional identity established by ASCA regarding the role of school counselors.

The purpose of the VTSCA Mentoring Program is to provide new school counselors with support that is shaped by their professional needs. VTSCA will strive to provide a diverse cohort of mentors, representing diverse backgrounds and locations around the state.  Selection of candidates will consider needs based on geography, job specific components, diverse backgrounds and goals of mentees.

QUESTIONS/CONTACT

If you have any questions about the VTSCA Mentor Program, please contact:

Patti Tomashot

VTSCA Executive Director

ptomashot@vermontschoolcounselor.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MENTOR PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the VTSCA Mentoring Program is twofold: 

1. To ensure that new school counselors begin their first years (0-3 years) with effective support to enhance skills in strategic leadership, reflective practice, and the development of strong relationships; and
2. To maximize the potential of new school counselors to become integral members  of their school community and leadership team.

FORMAT

A mentor and mentee will be paired and will schedule regular meetings (in-person or virtual) with each other at least twice each month during the academic year, for a minimum of 15-30 minutes per session, at times that are mutually convenient for the mentor and mentee.  Mentor/mentee pairs may communicate through in-person meetings, virtual meetings, email, texts, or other appropriate formats. 

MENTOR PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of the VTSCA Mentoring Program are to:

• Provide support that encourages skill development, collaboration, and reflection, strengthening the growth of the school counselor mentee.

• Become familiar with the responsibilities that are embedded within a comprehensive school counseling program and how to remove barriers that arise.

• Learn strategies to navigate school culture in order to effectively implement the school counseling program.

• Strengthen the professional identity of the school counselor mentee.

• Build a network of support for the school counselor mentee with other colleagues.

• Support the self-care and wellness of school counselor mentees.

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS

MENTEE RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS