Using developmental relationships in mentoring to support novice principals as leaders of learning

Mentoring is an established method of supporting principals as they begin their careers; however, early studies focus on how a veteran principal supports a novice principal in acquiring the skills to manage the school. As the role of a principal has evolved from a building manager to a leader of learning, the role of mentoring has also evolved. The purpose of this study was to explore the mentoring experiences of novice principals and their mentors in a school district's mentoring program, and how developmental mentoring relationships support novice principals to be leaders of learning. The findings suggest that a strong mentoring relationship can support a novice principal in developing skills to be a leader of learning by clarifying the mentor's role as a leader of learning, focusing mentoring sessions to build the mentee's capacity as a leader of learning, and a commitment to mentoring sessions that support teaching and learning.