January is National Mentoring Month, and Ponder ISD is proud to honor the exceptional staff members who dedicate their time, expertise, and encouragement to supporting our first- and second-year educators. These remarkable mentors play a vital role in ensuring that every new teacher in our district begins their career with the confidence, skills, and support needed to thrive.
Ponder ISD’s mentoring program is aligned with the Texas Education Agency’s Mentor Program Guidelines, which emphasize the importance of cultivating strong professional relationships, offering meaningful and actionable feedback, promoting instructional growth, and nurturing a collaborative school culture. TEA highlights mentoring as an essential strategy in recruiting, developing, and retaining highly effective educators—goals that remain central to Ponder ISD’s mission and values.
Thanks to our mentors, new teachers across the district are more connected, supported, and prepared. Their leadership strengthens classrooms, elevates instructional practices, and bolsters our commitment to retaining outstanding educators who make a lasting impact on students.
To our mentors: thank you for modeling professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future of Ponder ISD and empowering the success of our students.
Ponder is made for greatness—and our mentors are a powerful reason why.