Inspire Educators with Mentorship and Meaning

Inspire Educators with Mentorship and Meaning

By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl

“Successful learning requires two things: a solution that people want to engage with and content they find meaningful.”—Greg Rose

As summer winds down across the United States, schools are in various stages of reopening. Some are already buzzing with activity, while others are savoring the final days of break. Whether in full swing or in preparation mode, this time of year brings mixed emotions—such as excitement, anticipation, or even dread—from students, parents, and educators alike.

Just as my own children differ in their feelings about heading back to school, so do the educators I meet nationwide. The truth is: Our readiness varies day by day, season by season. That’s why authentic support for educators—especially experienced ones—is more important than ever.

Rethinking Professional Learning

In 2019, I developed and began teaching a graduate course titled Refresh Your Teaching with Influence & Impact. Its success led to the creation of a second course titled Mentorship & Motivation for the Experienced Educator. Both courses are offered through VanderCook College of Music and previously through The University of the Arts.

Each year, I revisit these courses to ensure they remain relevant and empowering. They blend my experiences as a parent, classroom teacher, consultant, podcast host, keynote speaker, and writer into practical tools for educators’ growth.

But here’s what stands out most: Many educators who enroll have decades of experience—and many don’t come for certification or credit. They come to grow. Their dedication to lifelong learning is deeply inspiring and a powerful reminder that evolution, not just endurance, is the mark of a great educator.

Throughout these courses, I emphasize that I am not the expert with all the answers—I’m a facilitator of growth. I provide frameworks for reflection, curated resources, and a space for connection. The learning is mutual and meaningful.

Why Experienced Educators Still Need Support

Too often, professional learning focuses solely on new teachers. Meanwhile, experienced educators—those who have sustained school communities for decades—are expected to simply “keep going.”

But experienced educators still crave inspiration. They still need mentorship, new strategies, and safe spaces to process change and burnout. Without these, the risk of losing our most experienced professionals continues to grow.

Key Themes That Matter Most

In Mentorship & Motivation for the Experienced Educator, we explore:

• Branding & Broadening
• Collaboration & Creativity
• Advocacy & Leadership
• Personal & Professional Development
• Burnout & Well-Being
• Trust & Transitions

Each topic invites educators to reflect on where they are and where they want to go. The results are always powerful—and often emotional. Educators show up with honesty, vulnerability, and courage. Their insights highlight what they are truly hungry for: meaning, connection, and growth.

Voices from the Classroom

Here’s what a few 2025 summer course participants shared:

From Michigan:
“Your class exceeded my expectations. I’m now thinking of ways to improve my teaching, explore better collaboration, and balance my family and work life.”

From Maryland:
“This class created a safe place for others to share. I felt seen and heard—and learned through the vulnerability of others.”

From Florida:
“I’ve been stuck in a rut and unmotivated. I loved the class meetings. It was encouraging and refreshing.”

From California:
“You never made any of us feel ashamed for what we were going through. You offered real experiences and resources to help us find our way.”

(Follow-up):
“As a chronic people-pleaser, it’s empowering to see professional women in our field making their own path. Thank you for being a role model.”

These reflections underscore the truth that growth is personal and support must be, too.

The 5 Key Changes Schools Must Make

When I speak with administrators about how to retain and inspire educators, I offer these five essential key changes:

Key Change #1: Prioritize Purpose Over Compliance

Experienced educators don’t need more mandates or micromanagement. They need space to reconnect with their purpose, not just their performance. Provide opportunities for them to reflect on their impact and influence, not just test scores and standards.

Key Change #2: Create Safe, Collaborative Spaces for Reflection

Teachers benefit from safe, judgment-free zones where they can share challenges, collaborate with peers, and speak honestly without fear of being misunderstood, retaliation, or dismissal. Foster spaces that promote vulnerability and growth.

Key Change #3: Invest in Professional Development That Feels Personal

Generic PD won’t cut it. Offer learning experiences tailored to their stage in the profession—focusing on topics like burnout recovery, leadership development, creativity in instruction, and personal growth alongside professional growth.

Key Change #4: Encourage Innovation and Autonomy

Trust experienced educators to take risks, experiment, and lead. They are more than implementers—they are changemakers.

Key Change #5: Recognize and Celebrate Their Evolution

Acknowledgment matters. Recognize not just longevity, but the evolution of skill, mindset, and mentorship these experienced educators bring. Celebrate their continued learning, not just their years of service.

The Heart of Our Schools

Educators are the foundation of our schools. When they feel seen, supported, and inspired, their impact multiplies. One participant said it best:

“I didn’t take this course for the credit—I took it for my soul.”

Question for Reflection: Are you offering professional learning that nourishes the whole educator by valuing identity, purpose, and connection as much as content and standards? After all, we’re trained to educate the whole child—why not the whole educator?

Let’s create more space for that kind of growth in our schools! When we do, we retain passionate educators who not only remain in the field, but also serve as confident, compassionate role models for students. When we nurture educators, they, in turn, nurture students with confidence, compassion, and resilience.

Let’s Make Key Changes Together

If you are ready to inspire your educators—especially those who have been serving the longest—it is time to rethink your approach. Let’s go beyond checkboxes and compliance. Let’s lead with mentorship, meaning, and heart. Your staff will feel valued—and that renewed motivation will ripple out to your students, their families, and the wider community.

🎧 Listen to episode #79 Inspire Educators with Mentorship & Meaning of the Making Key Changes podcast for more insights.

📩 If you believe this message or my work could support your school or organization, I’d be honored to collaborate: MakingKeyChanges.com.

About the author:

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary behind Making Key Changes, LLC, a platform devoted to mentorship and motivation. A former public school music educator (2001–2016), Lori transformed classrooms through leadership and creativity—principles she now shares globally as an author, podcaster, speaker, and consultant.

She has designed and delivered hundreds of keynotes and professional learning sessions in more than half of the states in the nation and has guest-conducted over 50 honor bands. Lori teaches two graduate courses developed from her experience, and her Making Key Changes podcast and newsletter offer weekly, actionable insights for growth. Her monthly articles for the National Association for Music Education consistently rank among the most accessed nationwide. In 2025, she launched The Confidence Camp—a unique, week-long experience that helps children discover their voice, believe in themselves, and uplift others.

Rooted in a career of transformation, Lori helps individuals, teams, and organizations create meaningful change. Having overcome challenges in her own journey, she is passionate about helping others refine habits, focus passions, and unlock potential—in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Learn more about Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl at MakingKeyChanges.com. Subscribe to her Making Key Changes weekly newsletter and listen to her weekly podcast.

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