The Value of Mentorship in Academic Growth

Greer Sabin
Oct 7
3 min read

Updated: Oct 17

Why Connection Comes Before Content

During my first few years of teaching, I worked with middle school students. While challenging, those years shaped me more than any others. I quickly realized that high schoolers were more my jam, but I treasure that early experience for teaching me the most important lesson of my career:

True academic growth is rooted in mentorship and connection.

Teaching is not just about distributing facts. And learning is not just about recalling them. Real learning happens when there’s mutual respect and genuine relationship between teacher and student.

The Ice Cream Story That Changed My Teaching

I learned this lesson at Rachel B. Noel Middle School in Denver Public Schools.

I had a student who immediately stood out—charming, kind, and respectful. One day, after class, he asked if I’d join him for ice cream later that week. I agreed, not knowing it would become one of those moments that stays with you for decades.

When I arrived, he was already there—early, dressed in his Sunday best. He opened the car door for me (his mom had driven him), and when we went inside, he insisted on paying for our ice cream. I smiled, surprised by his formality and touched by his sincerity.

As we sat down, he thanked me. Then, in a quiet voice, he said he had just finished his first book cover to cover—something he’d never done before. He told me that my constant reminders about the importance of reading had inspired him to give it a try.

Almost twenty years later, I can still see his proud smile—and, in a full-circle moment, we reconnected a few years ago. We’re now friends on Facebook, and every so often, he sends me a note about what he’s reading or working on.

He’s one of many students I’ve kept in touch with over the years, a reminder that mentorship isn’t confined to the classroom—it’s a relationship that lasts.

A few weeks after our ice cream outing, that same student brought me a small bouquet of silk flowers in a blue glass jar. Nearly twenty years later, those flowers still sit on my desk—unfaded, like the reminder they carry: that true learning blooms through connection.

“Mentorship isn’t about dependence—it’s about empowerment.”

What Mentorship Really Means

That moment reminded me that mentorship in education is so much more than just tutoring—it’s about guidance, accountability, and mindset growth.

Personal relationships build confidence, self-advocacy, and lifelong learning habits. Without real connection, true learning can’t happen.

That day became the foundation of how I taught. I carried that philosophy through every classroom and into my work today as a Learning Strategist and Mentor. Whether I’m working with students or professionals, I know that meaningful growth begins with being seen, heard, and supported.

From Dependence to Empowerment

The best mentors don’t just help students improve their grades or polish their writing; they help them discover what they’re capable of.

Working with students isn’t just about instruction—it’s about listening, encouraging, and helping them believe in themselves. It’s about giving them the tools and confidence to navigate not only school, but life.

That’s what I bring to every session: the belief that strong relationships are the cornerstone of learning—and the heart of lasting growth.