ABSTRACT
Mentoring is more informal than coaching and relies on professionals working currently in the field, often holding the same job title as the mentee or just one "level higher". The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and other organizations have called for more attention to be paid to mentoring aspiring school leaders. Mentoring is a process that focuses on the growth of the individual and helps to bridge gaps between theory learned in leadership preparation programs and the reality of practice in the field. Aspiring school leaders in preparation programs are often assigned mentors when participating in their internship activities. The coaching process involves a high degree of active listening, non-evaluative and non-judgmental questioning, and a collaborative problem solving practice focused on eliciting the solution from the coachee. Professional development for practicing school leaders needs to be relevant to the lives of assistant principals and principals. Leadership mentoring and coaching provide critical support for current and aspiring school leaders.
