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Ms. Spears is passionate about mentoring arts educators, especially new dance teachers. In Chicago Public Schools, she has hosted five student teachers during her career, mentored more than twenty early-years arts educators, and mentored two dance teacher residents. She has also mentored seven teachers through the National Dance Education Organization's mentorship program. Please read below to learn more about this mentoring work.
Many years ago, Ms. Spears hosted student teachers through the Chicago Semester program. In this program, dance education students from colleges outside of Chicago would move to the city and fulfill their student teaching requirements in an urban setting. They would spend one semester in an elementary school and one in a high school. Ms. Spears hosted student teachers at both Boone Elementary School and Whitney Young Magnet High School.
About eight years ago, the CPS Framework Specialists were asked to become mentors for the New Teacher Cohort, and Ms. Spears responded with an enthusiastic YES! She had been leading study groups and professional development workshops for quite some time, and she jumped at the opportunity to provide support to new teachers as they navigate their first year teaching in CPS. This mentoring program provides monthly professional development connected to the Framework for Teaching and monthly small group mentoring sessions. Ms. Spears has mentored over twenty teachers since this program began, including dance, theatre and music educators. She was proud to see that one of her former mentees was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple for Excellence in Teaching award two years ago!
Ms. Spears has also mentored teachers through the NDEO Mentorship Program. This is a two-year mentoring program which pairs a veteran teacher with a novice teacher for support and collaboration. Ms. Spears has mentored teachers in public schools in New York City, Charlotte NC, Buffalo NY, Atlanta, and Tennessee.
From 2021-2022, Ms. Spears mentored two resident teachers in the first cohort of the CPS Dance Teacher Residency Program. These teachers worked alongside of Ms. Spears for the entire school year, learning strategies for classroom management, building relationships, integrating social-emotional learning, developing curriculum, facilitating lessons, creating a scope and sequence, administering assessment, and directing final performances. Ms. Spears developed a gradual release model so residents could take full ownership of the units, lessons, and curriculum. She provided ongoing feedback to facilitate growth in the residents so they would be ready to start new dance programs in a CPS school this fall. Both residents have successful dance programs at CPS schools today.
Three years ago, Ms. Spears was invited to be a mentor for We Care Mentoring as a Virtual Instructional Coach. This program was developed through the Illinois State Board of Education and is facilitated by the Chicago Teachers Union. The program helps mentees develop effective teaching practices through weekly mentoring. Ms. Spears was the first dance educator selected for this program and has supported more than ten mentees over the last three school years. Teachers in this program are in their first, second and third year of teaching.
Ms. Spears feels that mentoring breathes new life into her teaching practice. Not only is it rewarding to collaborate with a fellow teacher and witness their growth, but it also creates new ideas and opportunities for her own growth. Ms. Spears is proud to call all of her former mentees both a colleague and friend, and keeps in touch with all of them regularly.
Read what her mentees have to say!
Read what her mentees have to say!
"Gina takes the time to listen to what we need and then she develops office hours on the topics we need most."
"Gina sends a weekly email of her own reflections on the week's teaching. It helps me see that I am not alone and that every day there is an opportunity to learn something new and grow as a teacher."
"When it was time for my formal observation, I was nervous! I texted Gina and asked for help and she offered me a one-on-one virtual meeting that same day. I felt more prepared and confident after that."
"Gina has so much experience yet she is so approachable. Other veteran teacher are either jaded or they are haughty like they know everything already. Gina is open, honest, encouraging, and always ready to provide support."
"I could not have made it through my first year without her."
"Gina mentored me before there was a formal mentoring program in our district. She let me come and watch her teach. She shared resources, most of them created by her. She is so generous with her time and her wisdom. I would not be in this profession for over ten years had I not connected with her!"
"Gina came at just the right part of my journey. I had been teaching for two years and needed support. She helped me navigate the dynamics of my colleagues and administrators professionally and successfully. She gave me ideas that enhanced the program I am trying to build. And she gave me much-needed tips on work / life balance."
Picture 1: Students in the 5th/6th grade dance elective.
Picture 2: Second grade students performing on stage.
Picture 3: Second grade students warming up with head-tail exercises of the Brain Dance.
Picture 4: Second grade students performing Hoe Ana from Tahiti.
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