This blog was transcribed from an interview with Vincent Gunnels, Cohort 1 alum of our residency program, current mentor teacher of our program, and teacher in the Kansas City Public School District. It has been formatted to fit a blog written as a reflection. All edits that have been made are for legibility purposes only.
At The Educator Academy, we believe that high-quality mentor teachers are the cornerstone of our novice teachers’ development and success. Mentor teachers provide invaluable guidance, insight, and support, ensuring residents are well-prepared to enter the classroom. For many mentor teachers, the role offers personal growth opportunities as they help shape the next generation of educators.
We recently sat down with Vincent Gunnels, a Cohort 1 alum of our residency program, current mentor teacher, and classroom teacher in the Kansas City Public School District. Vincent shared his journey of becoming a mentor, how it has helped him grow personally and professionally, and why mentorship is crucial for residents and educators alike.
From Classroom Teacher to Mentor
Vincent has been a mentor teacher for The Educator Academy for the last two years. When asked about his experience, he reflected on the challenges and rewards of guiding new teachers in our residency program. He emphasized that mentoring is about building relationships, understanding diverse personalities, and helping residents find their footing in the classroom. For Vincent, becoming a mentor meant both guiding a resident and gaining insights from others within the educational community we’ve built at The Educator Academy. “My mentor teacher experience in the last two years has been a little bit of everything… but I’m also learning while I’m mentoring others,” Vincent shared.
For Vincent, mentoring a resident is much like teaching students—both require patience, relationship-building, and understanding of each person’s unique background and needs. As he put it, “In order to be successful with anybody you’re working with, you have to learn to build relationships with people in different ways.”
Vincent’s ability to connect with residents and help them grow is what makes him an effective mentor. His personal experience as a product of the Kansas City Public School system further motivates him to give back to the community and the next generation of educators.
Why Mentorship Matters in Education
Mentorship is critical to The Educator Academy’s vision for creating a more equitable education system in Kansas City. Mentor teachers like Vincent provide new teachers with the hands-on support and feedback they need to succeed, ensuring they are ready to face the challenges of teaching from day one.
Vincent believes this is especially important in the context of Kansas City’s diverse student population. “A lot of people in education don’t understand the ethnic or culturally diverse backgrounds of the students we work with,” he explained. By mentoring new teachers, Vincent helps them better understand the students they serve, which ultimately leads to more effective teaching. This support is critical because starting out as a new teacher is difficult. It is not just the teaching component; with the advancements of technology, learning the routines of the school, and connecting with people you work with, becoming a teacher is harder than ever. According to the National Education Association, “A good mentor can keep a new colleague in the profession.”
For Vincent, this work is deeply personal. He sees mentorship as an opportunity to impact his residents’ growth and make a broader difference in his community. His work with another mentorship group Brothers Liberating Our Community (BLOC) is one example of how he is actively helping Black male educators find their path, just as he has.
Growing as a Mentor and Educator
Vincent’s journey as a mentor teacher has benefited his residents and allowed him to grow professionally. “Being open to the experience is something I’ve…I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s helped me learn and grow as a person myself,” he reflected.
Mentor teachers at The Educator Academy are provided with professional development and community-building opportunities throughout the year. This ensures mentors support their residents and help them grow in their practice. We pair mentor teachers with novice teachers (residents) who are in the process of earning their teacher certification. Vincent’s experience echoes the belief that mentorship is a two-way street—mentors learn as much from their residents as the residents learn from them. Teacher Residents gradually transition from observing and supporting the mentor teacher to lead-teaching full days of instruction by the end of the school year. After the residency year is complete, graduates commit to being a teacher of record in Kansas City for at least 3 years.
Mentor teachers impact our resident’s lives in the moment and years to come. Kayla Williams, a cohort 7 graduate, said, “As far as reaching my students, I think I did a great job. But it would have been impossible without the support of my principal, partner teacher, and mentors,” The EA is dedicated to preparing teachers to create transformative and equitable classroom experiences for all students by providing multiple avenues of support along the way.
Impacting Lives and Building a Legacy
One of the most impactful moments talking with Vincent was when we discussed the importance of meeting people where they are, whether they are students or fellow educators. “The biggest thing is getting people to want to meet others where they are. That’s the most impactful thing you can do,” he said. He understands that every student and resident comes with unique experiences, and he helps them reach their full potential by meeting them where they are. The Educator Academy strives to foster this type of compassionate and dedicated leadership in all of our mentor teachers.
Vincent Gunnels’ journey from a classroom teacher to a mentor teacher reflects the power of mentorship in shaping the future of education in Kansas City. His commitment to building relationships, supporting residents, and contributing to the community underscores the importance of high-quality mentorship in achieving The Educator Academy’s mission.
If you’re a teacher with a passion for mentorship and want to make a difference in the lives of future educators, consider becoming a mentor teacher with The Educator Academy. As Vincent has shown, the impact you can have on a resident’s growth—and your own—can be life-changing.
Learn more about our Mentor Teacher Program and how you can apply here.