Mentors play a critical role in supporting the growth and development of new educators. The following resources and supports are available to support the mentoring and induction of new teachers and administrators.
Mentorship Trainings
This school year the Maine DOE will be offering upcoming opportunities for mentor training! The sessions will be offered virtually. Educators are welcome to select either session below that works best with their schedule. The session will take place via Zoom, a link will be sent to participants following registration. This training is offered at no cost, all materials will be available electronically. Educators will receive contact hours for participation. We encourage interested participants to discuss the opportunity, along with local training requirements, with their mentor chairperson prior to registering.
Upcoming Sessions
Please see the table below for more information regarding upcoming mentorship training sessions. To participate, follow the link in the table below which corresponds with the session you would like to attend. You will then see the session's entry on the Maine DOE Event Calendar, and you can click the "Register Here" button to proceed.
If you do not see a session in the below table that matches with your needs, the Educator Excellence team is maintaining a distribution list of those interested in announcements about future mentorship trainings. To add your name to the list, please contact Sheryl Banden, Educator Excellence Office Specialist, at sheryl.banden@maine.gov. For other questions about mentorship and trainings, please contact Michael Perry, Director of Higher Education & Educator Support Services, at michael.t.perry@maine.gov.
| Date | Time | Facilitator | Event Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Tracy Whitlock Special Projects & Educator Support Coordinator Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education |
Link |
| Friday, January 26th, 2024 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Tracy Whitlock Special Projects & Educator Support Coordinator Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education |
Link |
| Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 | 8:30am - 3:30pm | Tracy Whitlock Special Projects & Educator Support Coordinator Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education |
Link |
Customized Resources & Supports
The Maine Department of Education has developed mentor training modules to support districts when training new mentors. Specific mentor requirements can now be found in Rule Chapter 180
Mentor Requirements:
- Hold a Professional license
- Have an effectiveness rating of at least effective
- Districts may establish additional criteria for the selection of mentors and scope of responsibilities
Mentor Responsibilities:
- Complete a minimum of two observations annually
- Provide ongoing support and feedback
Resources
- Maine's Definition of Effective Mentoring
- A Note about Adult Learners
- Sample Next Steps Rubric
- Mentor Modules: Free online resources for new teachers and school leaders. For more information review the Mentor Modules Facilitator's Guide.
Maine’s Alternative Certification and Mentoring Program is a partnership between the Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services and the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development.
MACM offers intensive, structured mentoring and coursework for new conditionally certified special educators to work toward professional certification.
The goal is to provide new special educators with experienced mentor teachers to provide modeling and coaching, as well as access to resources and promising practices.
New Conditionally certified special educators receive mentoring from an experienced special educator and take both semesters of Special Education Mentorship, a two-part online graduate course designed to meet the needs of new special educators. This seminar course counts toward credits needed for professional certification.
MACM partners with local school districts to provide a special education-specific mentoring option to support the district’s existing teacher support system.
The Maine Principal's Association has developed a comprehensive mentorship program for novice principals and assistant principals. The program recently expanded to offer supports to experienced educators in new positions who desire a mentor/coach.
Mentor Responsibilities
- Have weekly contact with the protégé. Monthly in person meetings are required
- Visit the protégé’s school and provide observation feedback
- Assist in the development of a written learning plan
- Submit a reflection regularly
- Attend required trainings and meetings
Resources
Resources for prospective mentors and protégés can be accessed below.
- Protégé application for new administrators
- Great Beginnings Program for new administrators
- Application for experienced people who want to become a mentor to a new administrator
Assistant Executive Director Maine Principal's Association
207-622-0217, ext. 126
hcouturier@mpa.cc