Mentor Program

The Bellingham School District Mentoring Program is the cornerstone of the induction program for new teachers. The goal of induction is to improve teacher performance, increase retention of promising teachers, build a community of learners, and to meet state requirements for certification. All new teachers are assigned a mentor who provides specific guidance designed to meet the needs of the new teacher.

Recruitment of mentors begins in the Spring each year. Mentors must meet specific criteria and be recommended by their principals or supervisors. Mentors attend a two day Mentor Academy in August and further training throughout the year.

Mentors learn how to use a variety of tools to work directly with new teachers through observation, joint planning, and learning-focused conversations. One of those tools is the Developmental Continuum of Quality Teaching.