Charting the Cs: Cooperation, Communication and Collaboration.
Statewide Professional Development to Support the Workforce and Low Incidence Disability Areas.
Charting the Cs Conference 2024.
Got Support? Uniquely Matching Mentors and Protégés (MMP) of Low-Incidence Disability Fields
Provided by Ann Mayes, Minnesota Mentor Program Specialist
Statewide Professional Development to Support the Workforce and Low Incidence Disability Areas.
Minnesota Mentor Program Focus
Primary Disability Child Count 12/1/2023
Although Important, Not the Focus of MMP
Minnesota Mentor Program Applications Open Now
Protégés are teachers with little teaching experience or teachers who need continued support and guidance from a mentor.
Mentors are teachers with more than five years of experience who support and guide newer or geographically isolated teachers.
Applying to the Minnesota Mentor Program
A mentor-protégé relationship can continue as long as needed.
Many teachers of low-incidence disabilities are also isolated, like their students. 
Connecting with other educators across the state in the same field decreases isolation and increases connection to retain educators.
Unique Benefits of the Minnesota Mentor Program
A mentor-protégé relationship can continue as long as needed.
Many teachers of low-incidence disabilities are also isolated, like their students, therefore…
Connecting with other educators across the state in the same low-incidence disability field decreases isolation and increases connection to retain educators.
Mentor and Protégé Matches
Teaching in the same low-incidence disability field
Similar setting (e.g., itinerant with itinerant; or Setting III with Setting III)
Instructional age range of students
Specific skills (e.g., Braille instruction)
Mentor or protégé requests are considered.
Mentor and Protégé Activities and Supports
Annual, virtual MMP Kick-Off in early August:
MMP Book: “Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback” 
Breakout Rooms: For mentor-protégé teams
One-Page Descriptions
Morning Plenary Session and activities based on the MMP Book with low-incidence disabilities focus
Low-Incidence Disability-Specific Activity Logs
Individualized Google Forms
Disability-Specific Resources and Practices
Meeting Tracking Sheet for Mentors
IEP and Assessment Resources
Assistive Technology Supports
Electronic Monthly Newsletter: October to April
Includes:  
Mentor and protégé discussion ideas.
Highlights low-incidence-specific activities and suggestions.
Reminders about using the disability-specific activity logs that include specific topics.
And more…
The Impact of MMP Mentors
94% of protégés felt they had enough communication support (2022-2023 survey results)
Mentoring was most impactful: 
Addressing work-related stress
Creating low-incidence disability-specific accessible materials
Writing and implementing IEPs and due process
Collaboration strategies with colleagues
MMP Mentor Qualities Valued by Protégés
Knowledgeable and experienced in the same low-incidence disability field
Comfortable with questions and helped think through situations
Took time to learn about protégé as a person
Available for impromptu texts, videos, or phone calls
Approachable: protégé could contact the mentor and get a timely response
Mentor Support and Resources
Minnesota Mentor Program Website
More Information: NEST Booth at Charting the Cs
Thank you!
Ann.Mayes@brightworksmn.org
612-638-1527 videophone