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Mentoring Novice Teachers
with Dr. Jody Tucker
This two-day workshop brings leading experts in the field of instructional supervision with the latest research on mentoring and teacher development. It is designed for mentors, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, or anyone else interested in improving student outcomes in the classrooms of new teachers.
The journey into education is one of the most profound and demanding imaginable. For the novice teacher, the initial years are often a whirlwind of challenge and profound growth. While many resources focus on simply retaining new educators, this workshop is built on 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 a recipe 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, their innovative spirit, and their untempered enthusiasm. Our approach champions a strengths-based narrative, viewing every new teacher as an asset whose professional identity and belonging must be lifted up from day one.
This workshop provides a framework for mentoring that is deeply rooted in creating environments of safety and belonging. This means ensuring all participants find their voice and contribute to conversations that matter, dismantling systems of isolation, and building relationships where everyone feels trusted and honored. Mentoring, at its best, creates a powerful, ongoing network of support, where new teachers are empowered to become decision makers in their classrooms, contributors in their schools, and change agents in their communities.
| The Details | |
| Dates | July 23-24, 2026 |
| Time | 8:30am - 3:30pm |
| Cost | $650 individual $1,300 team of 2-4 $2,000 team of 5-10 $3,000 team of 11-15 |
| Location | In-person at CU Denver |
| Graduate Credits Available | 1 or 3 (optional) |
Audience: Mentors, instructional coaches, school leaders, BOCES and district administrators
Purpose & Outcomes
- Participants will understand their role and identity as a leader of adult learners
- Participants will know how to support and mentor novice teachers with clarity, confidence and agency
- Participants will be able to synthesize workshop content in order to create a specific and prioritized implementation and action plan for mentoring, coaching, leading, and supporting novice teachers
Jody Tucker, EdD
Facilitator
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.
Other Keynotes
Laurie Wretling, EdD
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.
Pam Yoder is an educator of more than 30 years and has had the privilege of teaching grades K-8, working as an instructional coach, and as an elementary level principal within the school setting. 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 been a trainer for Just Ask Publications, LETTERS, and numerous district initiatives and 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 life-long 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.
Pam Yoder
Arianne Rivera, EdD
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.
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 the areas of assessment & research and school improvement; instructional coaching, and affiliate instructor at Regis University in the Masters of Education program. She credits her years as a middle school teacher as the 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 for the individual needs of participants while focusing on the essentials of adult learning.
Allison Johnson
Esther Valdez
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, proudly serving as a principal in schools across Jefferson County in Colorado. Esther believes her life’s work is meant to liberate students to be the best they can be by harnessing her core values of 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.
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.
Stephanie Cavallaro