Mentoring is an activity which has almost unparalleled potential to shape the developing skills – and attitudes – of teachers in training. The support given to someone in the early stages of their teaching career will be remembered and valued, very probably for the rest of their professional life. This fact is in itself satisfying – and so often, in my experience, it is evidenced by the ways in which new teachers frequently stay in touch with the individuals who have mentored them, providing occasional updates on career progression and personal matters.