Mentoring Novice Teachers
This two-day workshop brings together leading experts in instructional supervision and the latest research on mentoring and teacher development. It is designed for mentors, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, and anyone else interested in improving student outcomes in classrooms with new teachers.
The journey into education is one of the most profound and challenging experiences one can encounter. For novice teachers, the initial years can often feel like a whirlwind of challenges and significant growth. While many resources focus on retaining new educators, this workshop embraces a bolder, more joyful vision: to cultivate a community where new teachers—and the veterans who support them—don't just survive but truly thrive. This is not just a strategy for fixing deficiencies; it is a guide for shared professional growth and leadership across all levels—from veteran teachers to instructional coaches, school leaders, and district administrators.
Our foundational principle is the belief that mentoring is an act of joy and a shared moral imperative. It begins with recognizing what novice teachers bring to the table: their fresh perspectives, innovative spirits, and untempered enthusiasm. Our approach champions a strengths-based narrative, viewing every new teacher as an asset whose professional identity and sense of belonging must be nurtured from day one.
This workshop provides a mentoring framework rooted in creating environments of safety and belonging. This means ensuring that all participants find their voices and contribute to important conversations, dismantling systems of isolation, and building relationships where everyone feels trusted and respected. Mentoring, at its best, creates a powerful and ongoing network of support, empowering new teachers to become decision-makers in their classrooms, contributors in their schools, and change agents in their communities.
Workshop Contributors
Laurie Wretling, EdD, is the program director of professional development schools at the University of Colorado Denver, where she contributes to the advancement of clinical teacher preparation. In this role, she supports school-university partnerships that cultivate high-quality teacher development and collaborative learning environments. In addition to her work at CU Denver, Dr. Wretling provides coaching and consulting for K–12 educators and school leaders across the country, helping them design and implement engaging, student-centered curriculum and instruction.
Laurie Wretling, EdD
Pam Yoder
Pam Yoder is an educator with more than 30 years of experience and has had the privilege of teaching grades K-8, serving as an instructional coach, and working as an elementary-level principal. Pam has served at the district level as a coach coordinator, induction-mentor coordinator, special education assistant director, and COVID project manager before retiring. She has trained for Just Ask Publications, LETTERS, and numerous district initiatives, and she continues to work to bring professional learning to educators at all levels. Pam recently served as co-president for Learning Forward Colorado and worked with the national planning team to bring the Learning Forward Conference to Denver in December 2024. Her current consulting work includes mentoring school leaders, providing professional learning around instruction and executive function practices to school-based teams, and working with school teams to create an effective MTSS framework. Her work as a site professor supervising student teachers continues to allow her to impact the next generation of teachers. She is a lifelong learner and embraces opportunities to grow as an educator and compassionate human. Pam is committed to serving learners at all levels to provide best practices to ensure success for all.
Dr. Rivera has over 25 years of experience in PreK-16 Education. She has worked as a teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, classroom teacher, K-6 ESL teacher/instructional coach, K-12 ESL and dual language resource teacher, central administrator, university instructor and program director, and consultant. Her passions are learning and connection. She develops practices and systems grounded in dignity, joy, and multi-directional impact. Her research interests include the phenomenological study of authenticity, belonging, community, and safety within and beyond educational contexts. Arianne currently serves as the director of student success at the University of Colorado Denver School of Education and Human Development.
Arianne Rivera, EdD
Allison Johnson is a veteran educator and currently serves as the adult learning specialist at the Employee Development Group. She brings over 30 years of facilitation experience. Her background includes training in assessment, research, school improvement, and instructional coaching. She is an affiliate instructor in Regis University's Master's in Education program. She credits her years as a middle school teacher as the best on-the-job training for public speaking, instructional design, and group facilitation. Her advanced degree in adult learning, training, and development helps her tailor each workshop to participants' individual needs while focusing on the essentials of adult learning.
Allison Johnson
Esther Valdez is an assistant director of implementation and partnership at Colorado Education Initiative. She supports CEI’s school district partners and their communities in executing school transformation and strategic school improvement. Esther has over 36 years of experience in education and has proudly served as a principal in schools across Jefferson County, Colorado. Esther believes her life’s work is to liberate students to be the best they can be by harnessing her core values: ensuring students experience connection, a strong sense of belonging, and the power of educational opportunities. Esther holds a B.A. from Texas Lutheran University, an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Denver University, and an endorsement in Cultural & Linguistically Diverse Education from Regis University.
Esther Valdez
Stephanie Cavallaro
With 34 years of dedicated service in education, Stephanie Cavallaro is a seasoned and passionate educator whose career spans the full spectrum of K-12 leadership and instruction. Beginning as a middle school teacher, Stephanie quickly distinguished herself through a deep commitment to student growth and instructional excellence. This dedication led to roles as an instructional coach, district leader, and ultimately principal—each position building on a legacy of impactful mentorship and visionary leadership.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has developed a strong expertise in instructional strategy, school leadership, and educator development. Her work has consistently focused on creating supportive, high-performing learning environments and empowering teachers to thrive professionally. As a mentor, Stephanie is known for nurturing talent and fostering collaboration, helping educators grow into confident leaders themselves.
Whether leading schools, coaching teachers, or shaping district-wide initiatives, Stephanie brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach grounded in decades of hands-on experience. Her work continues to influence and inspire the next generation of educators and leaders.
Dr. Tucker collaborates with the Continuing and Professional Education staff and SEHD faculty members to develop and sustain programs and partnerships that directly serve critical needs of children, youth, and adults seeking lifelong learning opportunities. She partners with corporations, nonprofit organizations, school districts, healthcare professionals, institutions of higher education, and the broader community to co-create customized professional development, facilitate strategic planning processes, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and provide leadership coaching. Jody previously served the SEHD as the associate director of clinical teacher education, where she supervised the development of preservice teachers and directed the NxtGEN program. Prior to coming to CU Denver 2019, Jody was a business owner, non-profit director, teacher, coach, school leader, and district administrator.
Jody Tucker, EdD