Instructional Design Mentorship Program​ 
Trauma-informed & Teacher-specific 

This mentorship program is in partnership with IDOL courses Academy. I am only sharing materials I created so as not to violate confidentiality agreements.

Challenge

IDOL courses Academy is an instructional design trade school that helps individual​s break into the industry, sharpen their skills, and build a community of professionals. Former and transitioning teachers are a large subset of these learners.

Teachers and others in toxic workspaces often carry trauma with them that colors their perspective about the corporate world. Maladaptive behaviors, often subconscious to them, can keep these individuals from success in the workplace. Additionally, some teachers struggle to reframe their experience and skills for a corporate lens and to shift their priorities to match corporate ones. 

As a result, some of these learners have difficulty finding new employment and struggle when they enter the corporate world.

Solution

I proposed a mentor program specific to teachers, though not teacher-only. Each session begins with an acknowledgment of trauma and presents healthy coping strategies while also learning about and building instructional design solutions.

Learners are challenged to examine their perspectives and make concrete efforts toward recalibrating their stress responses in addition to building a portfolio, earning instructional design badges, and meeting their career goals.

My skill in trauma-informed instruction and experience as a former teacher made me a uniquely qualified individual to lead this mentor session.

Results 

Within the first cohort, we saw a 250% increase in attendees and a 7% increase in 6+ session attendance. 
When asked how the sessions supported them, Cohort 10 learners shared the following:
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In addition to all of the practical skills that Mandy shared (especially optimizing LinkedIn), I really appreciated all of the reassurance that we teachers have so much to offer. Mandy once said something like we haven't had the chance to show our magic and one day we will find an employer who really appreciates all we have to offer. It was reassuring to hear that life in the corporate realm is not as intense as teaching (there's teacher pace, cheetah pace, and then there's a fast-paced work environment!). I appreciated all of the advice regarding our mental health! At first, I wanted to get straight to the practical steps, but I quickly realized the value of mental health support and I am so grateful to Mandy for emphasizing that aspect in all of her sessions!
​It was just very validating. Through this journey as a teacher, there are so many feelings and you just knew exactly what to say to make me feel better and honestly, I got chills on multiple occasions. It truly was like another therapy session, which is perfect as I’m sure we are all navigating teacher guilt and imposter syndrome
Lots of great practical information, but the biggest impact was from your insight on burnout. I didn't really acknowledge it and the effects as "real" before. You provided helpful tools and insight that honored and validated what we are feeling and experiencing while also showing a path to move forward to a healthier place. Can't thank you enough! I also love how you are authentic and true to yourself and exemplified how to create boundaries while also providing guidance and support.
1 - empathy and recognition of the trauma that teachers carry (it helped me acknowledge some of the things I was carrying even a couple of years later).
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2 - the assurance that I could actually make the move to corporate if I wanted to.

3 - I’ve learned a lot. Even just making changes to my LinkedIn and making a plan for posting has been super 2. And putting boundaries on applications and interviews is great advice.

4 - your total vibe is amazing. You helped me realize that I didn’t have to lose myself in this process.
The insightful advice and tidbits of things I'd never thought about, that popped up later on throughout my process, were so helpful. I love having Mandy's voice in my head as I wonder and practice my skills.
Your sessions were helpful in so many ways! First and foremost, I really appreciated the supportive environment and safe space to be able to talk about our worries and challenges. At the same time, the sessions were packed with useful content and well-organized and clearly carefully planned. I also noticed and appreciated your flexibility and adaptability, i.e. when you switched from your initial plan to go more in-depth with Linked In. I enjoyed all of the sessions but found the session on choosing topics and the Linked In session to be most useful. I didn’t even have a profile before I started IDOL and now it might not be perfect, but I have something! I was surprised after the first session when you wrote to me directly to answer one of my questions, and am very grateful for the personalized attention on that and on other occasions, i.e. when you offered to give me a private tutorial on Linkedin!
I felt validated, valued, supported, and as an equal in your sessions. Not just as a student that knows little. I felt this was a safe space to learn, grow, ask questions and explore. I received feedback and encouragement that I didn't know I needed until I received it. You definitely brought the lessons, expertise, and resources that I needed to sort through all of this amazing material in the academy.​​
The way Mandy broke down complex topics into smaller chunks with specific examples was 3 to my learning style. For example, I was very overwhelmed with trying to pick a topic, but when Mandy gave specific examples using teaching expertise, it made it SOOO much easier. Also, the way she gave concrete ideas for how to post and respond in LinkedIn made so much sense.
Feeling supported by getting real advice and resources. Feeling you can relate to our thinking and you don't judge. You encourage, listen and give actionable advice. You inspire us truly.
The sessions helped immensely as they were so relatable as a K-12 teacher. Affirming how my skills can transfer into ID along with what a non-teaching job workload... or life/work balance can be.
Mandy, your sessions have helped me develop the confidence I need to transition out of the teaching field and into the corporate world. Imposter syndrome be gone!
It was very specific for teachers. That's what I needed and your directness and info are so insightful and time-saving. Everything you do saves us time.
​​It gave me a sense of community and guidance that I was looking for. It gave me personal expertise from an IDOL graduate who was successful in completing their goal. It gave me motivation and empathy for where I was at coming from a purely higher ed instructional design environment
Honestly, these have been the BEST sessions ever! I have been given information that will help me continue moving forward in my IDOL journey. I may not be where I want to be right now, but I know what I need to do because of your amazing mentor sessions and guidance.
Tools of Development - Google Form, Canva, Google Sheets, PDF escape, Google Meet

Developed March 2022, ongoing iterations