It takes time for a mentoring relationship to grow and as it develops, it will naturally go through several stages of development. The National Education Association's Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers some advice for moving forward by degrees, recognizing three stages of the mentoring relationship: Stage One: Focus on practical skills - organizing the classroom, ordering supplies, etc. Stage Two: Focus on classroom management and bringing out your teaching personality. Stage Three: Focus on instructional strategies and professional development. Finally, there are some guidelines to keep in mind as you work together: For Both Parties: Set regular times to meet. Be respectful of each other's time constraints. Communicate with each other often. Use email as well as     face to face. Remember that it takes time to develop a relationship. Show respect for each other. Keep the other's confidences. For Mentees: Listen actively and be open to advice. Do not be defensive about criticism. Remember it is intended to help you. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem     obvious or ridiculous. If you need the answer, your     mentor is an excellent person to ask. Be sensitive to becoming overly dependent on your mentor. Be considerate of your mentor's time. Avoid putting your mentor in the middle of problems with     the administration, other teachers, parents, or students. For Mentors: Listen actively. Be patient. Offer positive criticism wherever possible. Tell your mentee what he or she is doing right. Offer suggestions for improvement along with critiques. Be sensitive to the novice's position. Share your own experiences when appropriate. Lead and guide your mentee toward independence. Recognize when to let go. Teach the mentee how to solve the problem rather than     solve it for her.