Matthew Welch

Liberate + Neglect When a mentor does not offer enough guidance

This month in #mentoring : When is it autonomy, and when is it neglect?

shorturl.at/Q29tb

Lessons from Plants — Harvard University Press An exploration of how plant behavior and adaptation offer valuable insights for human thriving.We know that plants are important. They maintain the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing...

"We need groundkeepers, not gatekeepers."

My favorite sentence in @berondam.bsky.social's book "Lessons from Plants."
(Go read it! Follow her here, get her 2nd & very soon upcoming book, aaaand keep eyes out for her current @rad-institute.bsky.social's work too):
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...

Linear regression of mean childhood allostatic load—including C-reactive protein, the steroid hormone DHEA-s, Epstein–Barr Virus antibodies, cortisol, and body-mass index—on adult cardiometabolic score.

A study tracking 1,420 people from middle childhood to adulthood found that biomarkers for stress in childhood—including C-reactive protein, the steroid hormone DHEA-s, and high BMI—predicted worse cardiac and metabolic outcomes in adulthood. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

I post about Mentoring.

I can’t compete with the dogs, though.

Give + Take Teaching a skill as a path to understanding.

This month in #mentors and #mentoring : How do you handle mistakes while teaching and learning?

shorturl.at/Vg3Rm

Switching from the United States’ current policy to Standard Time reduces overall obesity prevalence more than switching to Daylight Saving Time.

Switching the clocks twice a year hurts Americans' health. A modeling study of county-level solar light patterns, time policy, health data, and circadian models suggests a permanent shift to Standard Time would reduce obesity and strokes. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Additional discussion on the value of—and need for—more #mentoring

Steer + Observe Driving the learning process means becoming a passenger.

What can teaching new drivers teach you about being a #mentor ?
shorturl.at/DnrZD

So a) AI cannot distinguish high quality sources from lower quality sources, and/or b) even AI cannot get to the articles behind the paywall

Would be interested to see this analysis across different US states

Pull Back + Let Go Show mentees what it took you years to learn.

As a mentor, how can you pass on what you know?
shorturl.at/O0TrC

Condolences to you and your family.

Test + Risk Trusting enough to give and accept challenges.

You might appreciate what a #mentor did for you in offering challenge and opportunity, but did you recognize at the time what a risk they were taking?
open.substack.com/pub/mattwelc...

My new book, out on Canada Day. Canada launched me in 1987 but Britain had built me. What we learn and do in early career sets up the bigger stage in the years ahead. @alisonpeacock.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @dutaut.bsky.social

#TheMakingofanEducator by @ahargreaves.bsky.social is OUT NOW! 📙

Charting the first 15 years of his career in education as a teacher, researcher & academic, Andy casts light on the ‘Great Education Shift’ of the 1980s – and draws some insightful parallels to the state of the education sector today.

Wonder + Commit Caring, curious mentors create space.

How does a #mentor connect with someone different from themselves? They create space

mattwelchmentoring.substack.com/p/wonder-com...

Or they lose those teachers altogether. Wise words from @ahargreaves.bsky.social

Relate + Accompany Connect over deep characteristics.

How do you see your mentees for who they are? What role do you let them play in the #mentoring?

shorturl.at/KTV3b

It's day 13 in our 30 quotes in 30 days from #TheMakingofonEducator series!

@ahargreaves.bsky.social's new book is coming July 1st 2025. Find out more at: buff.ly/HDeDyHQ

#Edusky #Booksky

This is a big challenge everywhere but especially if you live & work in 🇺🇸 right now. @pmdewitt.bsky.social @shankerinst.bsky.social @rweingarten.bsky.social @eduinternational.bsky.social @dianeravitch.bsky.social

Mentors have the power to change lives- for better or worse.

Believe + Connect Building social capital

A #mentor often does not act alone, but introduces you to new people, places, and experiences:

shorturl.at/OFq5d

#TheMakingofanEducator by @ahargreaves.bsky.social: Coming July 1st 2025 📚

Find out more: buff.ly/HDeDyHQ

#Edusky #Booksky

My 10 top tips for early career academics - the full graphic is here. @pasisahlberg.bsky.social @hargreaves-s.bsky.social @stephanie-hill.bsky.social @uottawaedu.bsky.social @andreastringer.bsky.social @headteacherchat.bsky.social @profcarolcampbell.bsky.social @bernimoreno.bsky.social

Consolidate + Reveal Pulling back the curtain.

This week: What do #mentors know that is key to pass on in #mentoring?
shorturl.at/MOPjo

Support + Critique Giving wise feedback.

This week on #mentors and #mentoring: Great mentors give wise #feedback
shorturl.at/gh6fo

Social Media Use and Depressive Symptoms During Early Adolescence This cohort study of children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 years evaluates person-level associations between time spent using social media and depressive symptoms over subsequent years.

📱🧠 More screen time, more sadness?

A new study of 11,800 US kids aged 9–12 found that increases in social media use predicted later rises in depressive symptoms.

🔗 doi.org/10.1001/jama...

#SciComm #MentalHealth 🧪

Obstacles + Opportunities Mentoring the whole person.

This week in #mentoring: How can a #mentor take a both/and approach: Over time, and in concert with other supporters:

open.substack.com/pub/mattwelc...

Congratulations!