INTC 2024 Mentor Conference 

Mentoring Matters: Building Relationships and Cultivating Your Skills

More Than Drinking Buddies: Redefining the Role of Teacher Mentors

Featured Speakers: Alex T. Valencic, Cheri Crawford, Jaclyn Boomgarden, Tara Hersey

In the ever-evolving landscape of post-COVID education, the role of a teacher mentor has become pivotal in shaping the professional journey of new teachers. This session proposes a shift in mentoring strategies, moving away from the traditional "drinking buddy" approach towards a more dynamic and impactful coaching model. Participants will learn about the changes Freeport SD 145 made in recruiting and assigning new teacher mentors and the impact these changes have had on retention and job satisfaction. Come learn what has worked in Freeport and leave with a framework for supporting your mentors and mentees!

The Mentorship Shuffle: Navigating Relationships with a Winning Hand

Featured Speakers: Ally Buczyna, Lindsay Tweedie

Mentors are invited to the table to ‘shuffle’ up their approach to relationship building. Through insightful discussions and interactive exercises, participants will learn to 'read' their mentees, effectively 'bet' on communication strategies, 'raise' trust levels, and skillfully 'play their hand' in diverse mentoring scenarios. This session provides the tools to 'stack the deck' in favor of strong mentor-mentee relationships, enabling them to navigate challenges with the finesse of a seasoned player. Whether you're an experienced mentor or new to the game, this PD will help you 'deal' with mentoring dynamics, ensuring you're always holding a ‘royal flush.’

Ally Buczyna Biography

Ally Buczyna is a dedicated Math Instructional Coach in Yorkville CUSD 115, serving a K-6 building of approximately 700 students. As a passionate educational leader, she is committed to leading with empathy and establishing trusting foundational relationships. She holds a current Master’s of Arts in Educational Technology: Curriculum and Instruction and is in the process of pursuing her Master’s of Arts in Educational Leadership. With a visionary lens, Ally infuses creativity and innovation into her work, always aiming for positive outcomes and striving for excellence. Ally’s drive to mentor others comes from her desire to empower each individual to reach their fullest potential. Her accolades include her published Edutopia article, “Classroom Transformations are a Fun Way to Boost Engagement”, serving as Yorkville Educational Foundation’s 2020 Rookie of the Year, and being a featured speaker at this year’s INTC Mentor Conference.

 Lindsay Tweedie Biography

Lindsay is a passionate educational leader with a decade of experience as a special education teacher in Yorkville CUSD 115. Lindsay is a lifelong learner, as evidenced by her continued pursuit of higher education. She will complete her Master’s of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction: Trauma & Resilience this summer and will begin her Master’s of Arts in Educational Leadership this fall. A trailblazer with a vision of inclusion, Lindsay passionately advocates for integrating students with IEPs into general education and empowering them through student-led IEP meetings. As a dedicated mentor, she strives to inspire educators to embrace their unique talents and pursue their passions. Her dedication is marked by her most recent achievement, a nomination of Most Influential Educator from Yorkville’s 2023 graduating class.