Exposing graduate teachers to models of good practice involves navigating along the conversational continuum between mentoring and coaching. This is a school-based story about how using a blended approach to mentoring and coaching, as needed, supports beginning teachers. In this interview, Sue Richards, a former school leader with 40 years’ experience and current GCI coach, explains how she changed her default approach from mentoring beginning teachers to coaching them, allowing them to take greater ownership of their practice development and maintain their energy and enthusiasm for their important role.