Mentorship Opportunities

Come to TEC to Learn and Leave with a Mentor!

At TEC, EdTA matches theatre educators with mentors to provide individual support and guidance on your journey in theatre education. Available for any educator attending TEC, interested mentees can sign up to be matched with experienced theatre educators.

A limited number of educators will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. All you have to do is fill out the form below to tell us a little bit about yourself!

Participants can expect at least six structured contact points throughout the school year to provide encouragement, share resources, and lend a listening ear. Mentors will bring experience that will help support and develop your teaching skills, provide coaching and advice, and be a role model to encourage your success.

Led by veteran theatre educator and outgoing EdTA Board President Krista Carson Elhai, this opportunity is perfect for early career educators looking for guidance as you build your program or veteran teachers who are looking for new perspectives in their practice.

You can request a mentor after registering for TEC by completing the Mentor Request Form in the Attendee Service Center.

Note: Attendance at TEC is mandatory for participation in the program. Applicants will be vetted prior to being paired. In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops that comprise the Early Career Educator Track at TEC.

Krista Carson Elhai Headshot

Krista Carson Elhai

Outgoing President, Educational Theatre Association

Krista taught theatre for 38 years, at both Hemet and Claremont High Schools, where she directed over 300 productions in a department of over 500 students with 13 sections of theatre, including a vibrant IB Theatre program. Her productions have performed mainstage at both the CA State Thespian Festival (13 times) and the International Thespian Festival (3 times). Serving on the CA State Thespian Board since 1993 Krista was the Educational Theatre Association's CA State Chapter Director for eleven years before she was elected to the EdTA Governing board. She is the current VP of the national board. She also serves as the CA Educational Theatre Association's Past President and as a Trustee for the Educational Theatre Foundation. Ms Elhai is co-director of Theatre Teacher Bootcamp, an intensive workshop for theatre teachers. She is currently serving on The College Board's Pre-AP Advisory Committee where she works on designing theatre curriculum and is a field supervisor for Theatre Pre-Service teachers at California State University, East Bay. Krista has been inducted in both the California State Thespian and Educational Theatre National Hall of Fame. She is the proud theatre mom of Lindsey, Walt Disney World costumer, Dylan, AEA stage manager, and Noah, stitcher and wig designer.

Have more than three years of experience? Become a mentor! Please contact education@schooltheatre.org for more information on how you can help guide the next generation of theatre educators!

Mentor Meet-Up

On Monday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., mentors and mentees will meet in the Hoagy Carmichael room. If you're signed up for the mentorship program or would like to learn more about it, join us and leave with a mentor to lean on!

Find Your Community

At TEC, you’ll become part of the EdTA theatre educator community. You’ll have the opportunity to form friendships with other educators and connect with industry partners and vendors who have services and solutions to help your program. You’ll walk away from the weekend with all the tools you need to succeed!