Tips for Mentors
April/May 2025
Dear Mentors,
Spring is here—a season of renewal, growth, and transformation. Just as Spring brings in new changes to the world, our novice educators are also going through transitions, adaptation, and changes during this time of the school year. April/May can be a particularly challenging month for novice educators.
Mentors play a vital role in helping others navigate their own journeys of change. Growth isn’t just about new beginnings—it’s about refining skills, deepening connections, and planting seeds of wisdom that will bloom in the seasons ahead.
As mentors, how can we provide steady guidance during times of transition?
Elena Aguilar captures the essence of change beautifully in Ride the Waves of Change:
"Change is one thing we can count on, and when we encounter it, we can harness our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energies, and direct them where they will make the biggest difference. Perseverance, patience, and courage help us manage change."
She also offers a powerful perspective in Arise on trusting the process:
"When I trust the process, I accept that I can't know what will happen in the future. I can't know what's going on inside another person, and I can't predict the best outcome for the situation we are in — and I do the work anyway. To trust the process, I often have to wrangle with my ego, which tries to control the process."
As we embrace this season of growth, here are some questions to reflect on as mentors:
- How can I create a supportive environment for those navigating change?
- What role does patience and perseverance play in my mentoring approach?
- In what ways can I model trust in the process for those I mentor?
See more activities regarding changes:
"Change" Activities - Google Docs
Spring is a time of possibility—let’s step into it with wisdom, intention, and encouragement.
April/May Learning Focused Conversations
Are you curious about how to collect and use data for reflection? As we enter the last months of the school year, let's think about:
How do mentors use holistic data to foster a sense of belonging as we mitigate bias, address resistant behaviors, and celebrate growth?
Connecting to Mentor Standards:
Standard 3: MENTOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND ETHICS
f. Data and Reflection: I gather evidence to support my growth and development.
Standard 6: EQUITABLE PRACTICES FOR MENTOR AND MENTEE
d. Build Culturally Responsive Practice: I work to create culturally responsive environments that increase knowledge and acceptance, while valuing and leveraging cultural strengths.
Does this resource resonate with your practice? Do you want to dig deeper with a group of brilliant minds?
- Sign up for our Roundtable in May to learn more here: BEST Mentor Roundtable We sincerely invite you to continue growing your practice as mentors with us!
BEST is resuming academies and Roundtables next month!
After a brief pause in April, BEST will resume our learning opportunities for mentors in Washington!
Please see the left column for registration links.
Mentor Academy 201: Taking it Further-Mentoring for Growth & Equity
For those who have previously completed the OSPI Mentor Academy 101, this session focuses on refining mentoring skills, building capacity to engage in conversations around equity, and deepening awareness of equitable classroom practices.
If you haven't taken a Mentor Academy 201 yet, don't miss out!
Mentor Academy 201
May 19, 21 | 0800-0300 | Registration link
June 24, 26 | 0800-0300 | Registration link
Thank you for attending BEST Grantee Convening 2025!
Our virtual grantee convening was on March 18th.
Thank you to all who attended. We appreciate the time, effort, and energy you invested to be there. Learning is time released, and so we hope the connections to knowledge and any inspirations gained grow and deepen throughout the months to come.
Thank You Presenters
Thank you to every person and team who presented at this year's convening. You helped create an experience that exemplified the outstanding and transformational work happening in education in Washington regarding mentoring and induction for novice educators.
Our presenters kindly share their presentation materials and resources with us. If you're interested in reviewing them or if you missed the convening and would like to catch up, please check this folder.
BEST Grant Information
Due to ongoing legislative sessions, BEST plans to open the grant by mid-May, pending the completion of the legislative season.
Watch for updates on Beginning Educator Support Team Grants
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