The Power of Mentorship in Teaching Apprenticeships
A Partnership for Success
Translating preparation program coursework into real, responsive teaching takes more than theory; it requires guidance, reflection, and support within the classroom. That’s where mentorship makes the difference. Mentor Teachers open their classrooms, demonstrate best practices, and model what effective teaching looks like in action. In turn, Apprentice Teachers gain hands-on classroom experience, helping them build confidence, refine their practice, and enter the profession better prepared to stay. Together, they create a collaborative learning environment where growth happens for educators and students.
Why Mentorship Matters
Mentor teachers are a key requirement for a Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Program. Mentor Teachers play a vital role in guiding Apprentice Teacher Candidates through on-the-job learning. They demonstrate essential teaching practices, including effective classroom management and the use of high-quality instructional materials. In Talent Together’s Teacher Candidate Survey, an overwhelming 95% of Apprentice Teacher Candidates reported feeling supported by their Mentor Teacher in successfully fulfilling their teaching responsibilities. Additionally, 94% agreed that their Mentor Teacher provides them with valuable, high-quality feedback they can apply in the classroom.
During Talent Together’s year-long Registered Apprenticeship Program, Teacher Candidates are placed in the classroom working alongside a Mentor Teacher. Talent Together Apprentice Teacher Liz Chapman at Kalamazoo Public Schools shares this about her experience, “Being in the classroom for the entire school year allows me the opportunity to observe a more genuine picture of teaching. I have time to grow and change with the students and the curriculum, developing more fully as a teacher. The insight my mentor offers into the thought process of a successful teacher is incredibly valuable.”
A look into Talent Together Mentor and Apprentice Teacher Pairs
Mentor Teacher Diana Mickles and Apprentice Teacher Jasmine Jarmon
Mentor Teacher Diana Mickles and Apprentice Teacher Jasmine Jarmon are demonstrating the power of mentorship at Ferndale Public Schools. For Jasmine, this apprenticeship marked a meaningful step outside her comfort zone. After years of working in one-on-one intervention teaching, starting to teach a full classroom was a new experience, but one that helped her grow in confidence and patience. With the guidance of her Mentor Teacher, she learned how to balance meeting individual student needs while leading whole-class instruction, preparing her to take on a classroom of her own confidently.
For her Mentor Teacher, Diana, the experience reinforced the power of collaboration. Having Jasmine in the classroom allowed for shared lesson planning, co-teaching, and real-time problem solving. Mentor Teacher Diana shares, “Through Talent Together’s mentor professional learning and reflective conversations with other mentors, I have become even more intentional in my instructional choices and modeling my thinking for future educators.”
Mentor Teacher Roxann Smith and Apprentice Teacher Lucy Rangel De Jackson
In a Special Education classroom at Traverse City Area Public Schools, Mentor Teacher Roxann Smith and Apprentice Teacher Lucy Rangel De Jackson demonstrate the power of mentorship in practice. Lucy shares, “I’ve learned that flexibility is my greatest tool. This journey has shaped me into a creative problem-solver. I’ve learned to adapt my environment and my expectations in real-time to meet students where they are.”
This mentorship has strengthened both Lucy and Roxann by emphasizing adaptability and collaboration. Lucy has grown more confident in adjusting instruction, supporting diverse learners, and contributing as a full member of the teaching team. For Roxann, mentoring has sharpened her practice by making her instructional decisions more intentional and reinforcing the value of shared resilience in Special Education classrooms.
“To be a mentor, I had to re-learn how to articulate the why behind every split-second decision I make. I can no longer just ‘know’ how to de-escalate a situation; I have to be able to explain the behavioral theory and the sensory needs behind it to Lucy. This journey has made me a more precise educator and a more thoughtful communicator with parents and specialists,” shares Mentor Teacher Roxann.
Mentor Teacher Sean LaForge and Apprentice Teacher Michelle Harrington
At Roseville Community Schools, Mentor Teacher Sean LaForge and Apprentice Teacher Michelle Harrington focus on student engagement through differentiated activities that increase participation. Michelle shares, “ I have found that students are most engaged when we are using an active teaching strategy where they are up out of their seats and moving around into different stations or activities. I will definitely be using this strategy in my own classroom in the future.”
This energetic teaching pair works together to set clear expectations for their students in a relaxed atmosphere. They work hard to form bonds with students and take time to learn each personality in their classroom. “There is a certain level of experience you can get from being a sub, but actually being in a teaching position full-time with the same students each day is transforming me as a teacher. It really is helpful when encountering difficult situations to have someone right there with you to provide guidance or advice,” shares Michelle.
Mentor Teacher Sean shared that he is pleased with the positive impact Michelle is making in his classroom. “Mentoring has pushed me to verbalize and reflect on my own teaching strategies. That process has strengthened my practice and made me a better teacher as well.”
Honoring Mentors and Apprentices
We are incredibly grateful for all the Mentor Teachers who have partnered with Talent Together across our last three cohorts. Their time, expertise, and care are invaluable.
We also celebrate our Apprentices, who are stepping confidently into the teaching profession, learning from their Mentor Teachers, and shaping the future of education.
Talent Together remains committed to mentorship-driven preparation, ensuring every new teacher has the guidance and support needed to succeed.
Learn more about being a Mentor Teacher with Talent Together!
Kriha, N., George, D., Feinstein, J., & Skubel, A. (2025, October). Building futures: Strengthening the educator workforce through teacher apprenticeships (RTAP National Report). The Education Trust & Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance. https://edtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RTAP-National-Report-Final.pdf