FROM CLIENTS

Mentoring Evaluation
Elizabeth Brunette
Director of Applewood Learning Center, a non-profit learning center in Londonderry, NH
March 2007

For the past six months, I have had the fortunate opportunity to work in a mentor relationship with Dr. Margaret Leitch Copeland. During this time I have learned so much about leadership and supervision, especially my own leadership and supervision. I now understand how I am able to be a leader and still remain true to my own personality and nature. Being an introvert, I've seen myself as a leader until my time with Margaret, when she taught me ways to convey my vision for Applewood while not putting myself into an uncomfortable position.

Margaret has provided me with techniques to communicate effectively to both families and staff in both day to day interactions and in presentations. My presentation at our Annual Family Meeting was successful due to Margaret's advice and guidance. The guidance she has provided me has prompted me to be self-reflective, ask questions of my practice and identify my own mistakes and learn from them.

In order to improve on this experience my only suggestion would be that the meeting continue past this time. I feel as though I could continue to learn so much more from Margaret. She took the time to allow me to develop my own conclusions about my experiences rather than imposing a solution that would have worked for her. This time is invaluable and is an experience I will be eternally grateful for.

Elizabeth Brunette

Dr. Margaret Leitch Copeland

If you are fortunate in life, you may come across a person who propels you into success in your professional development that is unimaginable at the onset. Without doubt, Dr. Margaret Leitch Copeland has provided that phenomenon for me and many of my colleagues in the early care and education field. It is with great pleasure that I write about Dr. Margaret Leitch Copeland.

She has been a graduate course professor, advocate, and a mentor for me since 1997. Her wealth of academic information and professional experiences have always been shared generously, compassionately and finely attuned to the challenges I have encountered. Whether the subject is handling a particularly difficult participant in a presentation or finding resources for director who has some challenging endeavors, Margaret has been a lifesaver many, many times.

Margaret has been in many positions through her career in early care and education and has a tremendous selection of answers to the profession's extremely tough questions. I cannot imagine another person having such depth of knowledge and experience. In combination with her background, she has a nonjudgmental approach to guiding others. Reflective, gentle, and rigorous are three qualities that Margaret lends to the most taxing situations.

I cannot envision where I would be in my professional development without Dr. Copeland. As a keynote speaker, a mentor, a constructivist, an author, and life long learner, Margaret has been keenly sharpening my skills in every arena.

Directors, mentees, child development professionals, and others involved in this important field of early care and education would be fortunate to employ Margaret's services. As a consultant, Margaret's work with people and programs is the absolute finest. Unquestionably.

I would be delighted to be contacted for any additional information.

Scott Noyes
Snoyes@EmpoweringPrograms.com
802.872.8419