UW Hosts Summer Mentor Institute for Fourth Cohort of Wyoming Teacher-Mentor Corps

In late June, the University of Wyoming welcomed a new cohort of educators for its fourth annual Wyoming Teacher-Mentor Corps (WTMC) Summer Mentor Institute on the UW campus.

The session brought together mentors representing school districts from Cheyenne, Evanston, Hulett, Powell and beyond.

Participants, selected through self- or peer-nomination, joined a 15-month program designed to bolster mentorship of early-career teachers across Wyoming. The training included two in-person summer institutes, fall retreats, a spring virtual session and ongoing online gatherings.

“The idea of mentoring a teacher new to the profession or the position is exciting, yet quite daunting,” says Jillian Ferguson, a first-grade teacher at Parkside Elementary School in Powell and a new WTMC mentor. “Thanks to the WTMC Summer Institute, I’m honored to be part of this group of teachers that will be able to support a new generation of educators.”

During the institute, participants focused on five pillars of effective mentoring: teaching and learning, assertive communication, meaningful feedback, work-life balance and relationship building. They also engaged with the Wyoming Mentoring Plan, a statewide framework for mentor support.

“Every year, we continue to refine the training program and the mentoring process so that the educators who complete the WTMC training are very well equipped to support new teachers,” says Colby Gull, managing director of the Trustees Education Initiative. The institute included contributions from national mentor-training expert Josh Ray, who emphasized the program’s statewide importance.

“I’ve been incredibly privileged to serve as part of the Wyoming Teacher-Mentor Corps over the past year,” Ray says. “As the field of education grows more complex, Wyoming’s commitment to supporting, developing and retaining early-career educators stands out as something truly special.

“What’s been especially encouraging is how often I’ve heard mentor teachers describe the impact the program has had on them,” he continues. “This work not only equips mentors with tools to strengthen their craft and coach their mentees effectively, but it also prioritizes their personal growth and well-being.”

Ray concludes, “Personally, I’ve cherished every opportunity to work alongside the mentor teachers and the dedicated team behind the Wyoming Teacher-Mentor Corps. I’ve seen firsthand the growth of the teachers they support, and I can’t help but wish I’d had access to a program like this during my own early years in the classroom.”

Mentors who participated in the Summer Mentor Institute represent the following school districts and communities across the state:

-- Crystal Graf, Laramie: Albany County School District 1.

-- Kelli Orr, Cowley: Big Horn County School District 1.

-- Revea Smith, Gillette: Campbell County School District 1.

-- Andrew Salzman, Audri Morgan, Ivey Bodine, Joel Moline, Nohemi Perea, Tanya Lucero, Theressa Herrera, Tiffanie Korkow, Jessica Hofmann and Julia Finneran, Rawlins: Carbon County School District 1.

-- Leslie McLinskey, Encampment, and Tiffany Herring, Saratoga: Carbon County School District 2.

-- Lila Kennah, Hulett: Crook County School District 1.

-- Jessica Kiser, Jill Robertson, Kylee Dripps, Diane Weller, Kayla Freese and Sami McRae, Lander: Fremont County School District 1.

-- Michelle Trahstrom, Ethete: Fremont County School District 14.

-- Alyssa Jernigan and Nicole Clayton, Torrington, and Hallie Murphy, Southeast: Goshen County School District 1.

-- Amy Kassel, Glen Kirkbride, Kara Benart and Julie Calkins, Cheyenne: Laramie County School District 1.

-- Elizabeth Feller, Charli Fluty and Jillian Ferguson, Powell: Park County School District 1.

-- Ashley Mines, Big Horn, and Sarah Hogan, districtwide: Sheridan County School District 1.

-- Megan Garnhart, Sheridan: Sheridan County School District 2.

-- Tessa Christiansen, Big Piney: Sublette County School District 9.

-- Crystal Richardson and Samantha Beard, Rock Springs: Sweetwater County School District 1.

-- Kevin Blackwell, Evanston: Uinta County School District 1.

For more information about the Wyoming Teacher-Mentor Corps, visit www.uwyo.edu/tei/wyoming-teacher-mentor-corps.html or email Gull at colby.gull@uwyo.edu.