Southeast Lauderdale Middle School is trying to change its culture by providing mentorships for teachers and students. 

At the school, new teachers are connected with veteran educators, while students needing extra help are paired with a teacher to guide them.

Principal Brittney Chaney said the program was one of her goals in her first year of leading the school. Since starting the programs, she said she has seen a change in the culture of the school. 

Southeast Middle School librarian Stephanie Leach said she wishes there was a mentorship program when she started teaching 26 years ago at West End Elementary, now T.J. Harris Lower Elementary,  in Meridian. Being a new mother at that time, she missed a month of school, and struggled to connect with her students after they had grown used to the substitute teacher. 

Leach said she and her friend sought out veteran teachers to help them during their first year. Those teachers helped her with school supplies and was there when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

“They kind of took us under our wing,” Leach recalled.

At Southeast Middle, Leach mentors Amanda Jones, a seventh grade language arts teacher, providing her with physical and emotional support.

Since Jones is pregnant, Leach helped her set up her classroom and gave her some tips to keep organized. It’s part of an effort to keep younger teachers from leaving the field too soon, she said. 

“We want to keep teachers from burning out during the first few years of school,” Leach said.

Leach has also learned from those she helps. For example, even though Jones is more creative and outgoing than her, they still help each other out on certain ideas, Leach said. 

“You have to be open to new ideas and not be afraid to accept change,” she said. 

LaDaruis Malone, who is in his first year of teaching, said he wouldn’t know where he would be without the help of a veteran teacher. Malone, who also coaches at the school, said the hardest thing for him to learn was classroom management. 

There are times, he said, when he will call, text or catch his colleagues in the hallway if he needs help.  

“I am still learning as I go,” Malone said. 

In addition to focusing on its staff, the school is also planning to provide a program for students. The program is in its early stages, and an school program will be available in January 2019, Chaney said. 

“We hope to give kids a positive place when students are here,” she said.