Co-Mentoring Circles Reimagined in a Virtual Format: Lessons From the Pandemic

• In Event: Across the Teacher Career Continuum

Abstract

Co-mentoring circles were developed, refined, and evaluated over the past six years as a safe, learning-filled space for aspiring educational leaders to come together face-to-face. Co-mentoring circle formation elements include: group agreements, reflection, giving and receiving feedback, communication skills, trust, confidentiality, and activities: “Hopes and Concerns,” “Professional Timelines,” and “Self-portraits.” Three sessions of three hours each are needed to form the circle. Once a circle is established then the agenda for the circle is co-created by the participants before each circle begins. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the co-mentoring circle moved to a virtual format. This study examines the changes that occurred and participants’ assessment as face-to-face circles became virtual. Lessons learned to continue to refine the co-mentoring circle are highlighted.

Author

• Kathleen Mary Cowin, Washington State University - Tri-Cities