Learning Side by Side: The Power of Shared Growth

Mentorship Experience

Mentorship is a powerful tool for fostering professional growth; it is a dynamic exchange that builds confidence, sharpens leadership, and strengthens community. Katrina and Stacy, two supervisors from the St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium, recently participated in the Mentorship Experience – a transformative cohort designed to support adult educators as they work towards their personal goals.

Stacy, a seasoned supervisor, stepped into the role of mentor, while Katrina, eager to expand her leadership toolkit, embraced the journey as a mentee. Together, they navigated challenges, celebrated wins, and strengthened the relationship between their organizations rooted in trust and shared purpose.

Mentee Perspective

Participating in a mentorship cohort has been an incredibly valuable experience for Katrina as she settles into her new role as Director. With little formal training as an administrator in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and a significant loss of institutional knowledge during the leadership transition, Katrina sought out additional support through a shared network of ABE colleagues. Through speaking with trusted friends and colleagues, Katrina connected with Stacy, who has over 9 years of ABE administrator experience, and asked Stacy if she’d be willing to participate in the program as Katrina’s mentor.

In the past year, Katrina has relied heavily on her mentor to navigate various challenges. From improving team meeting dynamics to learning how to manage the process of organizational change, their discussions have provided Katrina with new insights and strategies that she can immediately apply.

They’ve also tackled topics like working with HR, coaching team members, and adjusting program-wide teaching schedules. These conversations have been more than just goal-oriented; they’ve opened new ways of thinking about Katrina’s leadership and the organization’s needs.

This mentorship has also had a tangible impact on both Katrina’s leadership style and the team’s processes. One of the most noticeable changes has been in the Adult Education team meeting flow, which changed after Katrina observed one of her mentor’s meetings and her mentor observed one of hers. Katrina’s team has also begun to restructure the student intake process, resulting in a more efficient approach to managing the high volume of students. On a personal level, Katrina has developed stronger professional boundaries and built greater resilience in making tough decisions.

Moving forward, Katrina and her Stacy have agreed to continue meeting regularly, a testament to the lasting value of this experience in both her professional growth and the improvement of the program.

Mentor Perspective

When Katrina asked Stacy to be a mentor through the Mentorship Experience, she initially hesitated as being a mentor seemed like a time commitment she would be unable to add into her schedule. After a time of reflection, Stacy decided that being a mentor was exactly what she needed at a time when she felt as though there were few opportunities to participate in professional development that met her needs as she approached a decade of being an instructor and supervisor in Minnesota ABE. Their first meeting eased any hesitation, and it was clear that this would be a fruitful experience for two like-minded, passionate educators.

Katrina and Stacy’s meetings balanced administrative skills building and practical leadership approaches and techniques. Being a mentor provided Stacy with time to reflect and examine her own actions through a new lens. When Katrina posed questions or asked for Stacy’s interpretation of events, it encouraged Stacy to explore her leadership style and consider new ways to approach her own team. The Mentorship Experience gave Stacy the intentional space to pause and reflect – something rarely found elsewhere.

Results

For Stacy and Katrina, the Mentorship Experience was more than a 12-week commitment: it became a catalyst for long-term mutual growth. Their shared journey sparked meaningful conversations, deepened their leadership skills, and reinforced the value of collaboration in adult education. Upon the completion of the 12-week Mentorship Experience, they committed to continuing their partnership beyond the program, exploring new ways to support each other and contribute to their field together.

Their experience highlights how mentorship can spark meaningful, long-term collaboration – creating bonds that continue to enrich education programs well beyond the Mentorship Experience itself.