Mentoring: A Collaborative Mentorship Model for Urban Educators and Leaders

• In Event: Cultivating Urban Education Leaders: A Collaborative Mentorship Model for Systemic Transformation

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative power of Professional and Relational Mentorship (PRM) within urban educational settings, deconstructing the model's pillars that emphasize supportive environments, professional growth, innovation, resilience, and collaborative relationships between experienced educators and emerging leaders. Beginning with traditional mentoring concepts, the paper redefines mentorship's critical role in addressing unique challenges faced by urban educators and leaders. It examines PRM benefits through informal, formal, peer, and community mentoring relationships rooted in the Urban Education Collaborative Model. Using data narratives and vignettes, the chapter presents a practical model guiding urban educators to enhance teaching effectiveness, leadership skills, and professional performance. This collaborative mentorship model empowers urban educators to navigate complexities, build support networks, and drive meaningful change through academia.

Authors

• Geleana Drew Alston, North Carolina A&T State University

• Stephen D. Hancock, North Carolina A&T State University