At YES Prep, mentorship reflects a deep commitment to people and purpose. 
Leaders are developed with intention, future principals are supported before they step into the role, and every campus is guided by someone prepared to serve students and families well. 

In honor of National Mentoring Month, YES Prep is highlighting the impact of mentorship within its Principal Pathway, a leadership development program designed to prepare future principals through hands-on experience, consistent coaching, and real-time feedback. Rather than learning leadership in isolation, Resident Principals are immersed in the work, supported by mentors who guide, challenge, and model what values-driven leadership looks like in practice. 

For Resident Principals, mentorship shows up in everyday moments, navigating complex decisions, reflecting difficult conversations, and building confidence through trust and partnership. Two of our current Resident Principals, Jeevan Moses and Deja Laws, share how intentional mentorship is shaping their growth and readiness to lead. 

Mentorship in Action: Learning the Principal Role in Real Time 

For Jeevan Moses, the Principal Pathway stands out as a deeply immersive leadership experience, one that prioritizes learning by doing. Through a thoughtfully designed mentorship model, he is given the opportunity to step into the day-to-day realities of campus leadership, gaining firsthand experience in decision-making, problem-solving, and leading alongside his principal. 

“I feel set up for success because of the intentional pairing with my lead principal and the space created for me to participate in all aspects of the principal role in real time.” 

As Jeevan transitioned from his role as Director of College Counseling into a leadership position focused on teaching and learning, mentorship played a critical role in his growth. Early in the year, he began coaching a new math teacher—an experience that helped him better understand how to support classroom instruction and teacher development. Instead of offering guidance from a distance, his lead principal spent the entire day alongside him, observing lessons, providing real-time coaching, and reflecting together. “I felt incredibly supported throughout that day and immediately saw gains from that support.”  

That experience reflected one of the leadership values Jeevan admires most in his mentor, presence. Whether supporting teachers, collaborating with administrators, engaging students, or partnering with families, his lead principal models flexibility, availability, and responsiveness to campus needs. 

Through consistent inclusion in high-level conversations and exposure to every facet of the principal role, including instruction, special education, and academic leadership, Jeevan is building confidence and clarity. Central to that growth is ongoing feedback and reflection. 

“Consistent and immediate feedback has been a key asset of this program,” he shared. 

Mentorship Built on Trust, Belief, and Partnership 

For Deja Laws, mentorship within the Principal Pathway is defined by trust, affirmation, and intentional growth. Her relationship with her lead principal and mentor is grounded in belief, balancing high expectations with genuine care, and partnership. 

“The mentorship feels less like supervision, and more like a partnership, grounded in belief in my capacity,” she shared. 

Rather than learning leadership in theory, Deja describes mentorship as being embedded in real work. “I’m not only given advice, I’m invited into leadership moments that matter,” she said, “gaining transparent insight into the realities of campus leadership.” 

Through this experience, Deja has shifted from thinking like a Director of Student Support to thinking like a principal. Exposure to vision-setting, systems-building, culture stewardship, talent management, and people development has expanded her leadership perspective and strengthened her readiness. “I feel more prepared, not because I have all the answers, but because I’m learning how to ask the right questions.” 

Consistent, actionable feedback has supported her growth without burnout, reinforcing reflection as a critical leadership practice. For Deja, mentorship is not just about individual development, it’s about sustainability, community, and impact. 

Growing Leaders from Within 

National Mentoring Month is a reminder that strong leadership is developed and not accidental. Through programs like the Principal Pathway, YES Prep demonstrates the power of investing in people through meaningful relationships, trust, and consistent coaching. 

By growing leaders from within, YES Prep strengthens its schools, supports staff sustainability, and ensures students are led by principals who are prepared to serve with clarity, compassion, and conviction. The impact of mentorship reaches far beyond individual leaders; it shapes entire school communities and the futures of the students they serve. 

YES Prep knows the value of promoting from within. Today, 82% of our sitting Principals were residents in the Principal Pathway, a testament to how deeply we invest in developing leaders who are grounded in our mission, culture, and practice. 

At YES Prep, we believe in growing authentic leaders who can lead with vision, integrity, and purpose. Leaders who have already been shaped by our core values and leadership expectations. Our Principal Pathway prepares educators to step into the principal role and equips them to model and advance the very values that make YES Prep strong: Pursue Excellence for All, Grow Authentic Leadership, Achieve Jaw-Dropping Results, Build Transformative Relationships, and Create Pathways to Opportunity. 

To learn more about positions available at YES Prep, click here.