Associate teacher Sherri-Lynn Soumis cites her mentors as inspiration in becoming an associate teacher herself (PROVIDED BY SHERRI-LYNN SOUMIS/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
Sherri-Lynn Soumis’s mentor used to tell her to “pay it forward” whenever she could.
As a high school English teacher, Soumis is doing just that as an associate teacher, mentoring University of Windsor teacher candidates through their practice teaching placements.
Soumis explains that she takes inspiration from her own associate teachers who left a lasting impression on her.
“I had really great associate teachers, especially Sacha Sladic in my first placement,” she says.
“I learned so much from her, and now I feel like I can share all those things with the students I mentor.”
An associate teacher since 2016, Soumis has come to understand the relationship between teacher candidate and associate as reciprocal, with teaching and learning in both directions.
“I learn from the teacher candidates too,” she says. “They come in, and we work through things together. It helps me synthesize the information because they arrive with new ideas that I had never thought of that I can then work into my own teaching practice.”
As department head of English at Catholic Central High School, Soumis’s mentorship role extends beyond teacher candidates to supporting colleagues.
“Mentorship is everything,” she says. “When you’re starting out, and you’re anxious and not totally sure of yourself, sometimes it just takes one person to encourage you or open up opportunities for you.”
“It was really effective for me to have a supportive mentor who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and that’s helped me grow into the person I am.”
According to Soumis, what makes a great associate teacher is a combination of being both supportive and firm.
She recalls her own experience in a practice teaching placement with an associate whose high expectations challenged her for the better.
“She’s somebody I’ve kept in contact with over the years,” Soumis says. “She helped me with my resume, with my cover letter and provided a mock interview for me. She gave me the gumption to get that first job.”
“It’s a combination of having the drive to want to learn new things and having someone that’s there to keep you accountable, keep pushing you forward, and keep cheering you on. Kind but firm. That’s what works best.”
This drive to learn new things has stayed with Soumis throughout her career.
A three-time UWindsor alum (BA ’08, B.Ed. ’09, M.Ed. ’24), Soumis shares her passion for lifelong learning with her own students and the teacher candidates she mentors.
After graduating from her bachelor of education, she immediately jumped back in and earned an additional qualification (AQ) in religious education to support her goal of teaching for the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board.
She has since completed a total of 21 AQ and additional basic qualification (ABQ) courses.
“I always want to learn something new,” Soumis says.
“That’s what stirs my passion: going to professional development and learning new things. It gives me new ideas for things I can do in the classroom. It’s what keeps me joyful at school.”
After taking so many AQ and ABQ courses to support her professional growth, Soumis was interested in continuing education at a deeper level, which led her to complete her master of education at the University of Windsor and enroll in the educational doctorate program at Western University starting this fall.
She also serves on the UWindsor Faculty of Education’s Teacher Education Liaison Committee and says it has been a great way to stay connected with the University and to bring her perspective as a teacher to the table.
To other teachers who might be considering an associate teacher role, Soumis describes it as a meaningful opportunity to support and learn alongside new educators.
“Sometimes teachers don’t think they are ready or feel up to the role,” she says, “but it is something that as an associate teacher you also learn from.”
“It's an opportunity to have a positive impact by sharing your experience and helping someone grow into the profession."
“I still have a lot to learn, and I’m not perfect, but I like to think that I’m helping to guide the next group of teachers.”
Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 4 through May 8, 2026. For more information on teacher education programs, visit the Faculty of Education website.