Mentorship Program
“Find yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend and judge each person according to their own merits.” Pirkei Avot 1:6
Jewish LearningWorks has offered mentorship experiences to educators in our community since 2018. We do this by connecting professionals to engage in a mentorship experience that benefits both the mentor and mentee.
Mentoring is a proven, effective and efficient way to invest in our community’s educators. Our Mentorship Program is informed by Jewish concepts and texts, as well as leadership and adult learning research, to support mentors and mentees in this process.
Our Mentorship Program is designed for:
- Congregation, JCC afterschool and weekend classroom teachers (grades K-5)
- Professionals working with teens (grade 6-12)
- Congregational education directors
- ECE associate/assistant directors
- Camp professionals
- Day school teachers and specialists
- B’nai mitzvah tutors
- Non-traditional supplementary programs
Our Mentorship Program is designed for:
Each year we recruit both new mentors and mentees. Once the matches of mentors and mentees have been made, we provide the structure and tools for meaningful engagement.
Mentees | Mentors | |
|---|---|---|
| Aimed at | Candidates are Bay Area Jewish educators and communal professionals who are taking on a new role, are still new to their position, or have new responsibilities. | Candidates are Bay Area Jewish educators and communal professionals who have at least 10 years of experience in the field of Jewish education. |
| Format | 1:1 mentorship sessions will be virtual, or in-person if both parties prefer. | |
| Length | Mentors and mentees are asked to make a one year commitment to the mentorship experience and plan to meet 8 times. | |
| Fee | The cost for mentees is $180 for the entire year, due at registration. | Mentors receive a $1,200 honorarium upon successful completion of the mentorship cycle. |
| Enrollment | Registrations are open until all placements are made. To register, please fill out our inquiry form. | |
Program Structure
1:1 Mentorship
Each mentee will be paired with a mentor. Together, the mentor and mentee will set up a schedule, and will meet 8 times during the mentorship cycle. 1:1 mentorship can occur in person or using phone or video.
The agenda for each 1:1 Mentorship session will be designed by the mentor and mentee in order to respond to the mentee’s specific workplace needs. Mentors may consult with Jewish LearningWorks staff at any time during the mentorship initiative for support about planning and facilitating 1:1 mentorship sessions.
Mentorship Pairings
Mentorship pairings are made with care and attention by Jewish LearningWorks staff. We interview each mentee and mentor candidate. We make mentorship pairs in order to best support the mentee based on information shared in the application, and initial conversation.
Mentor-mentee relationships are unique in that they are often reciprocal, consistent and often enduring across years and roles. Generally, mentors will, currently or in the past, hold the same role that the mentee holds.
Registrations and Questions
We work on a rolling admissions process, until all placements are made.
Once your form has been received we will follow up with you for a phone call.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Jewish LearningWorks staff at programs@jewishlearning.works.