Tips for Mentors
May 2026
Dear Mentors,
The sunshine has returned and there are blossoms and colors everywhere. Spring is thriving at its best! It is a season that feels full of possibilities. And yet, spring also carries its own quiet endings. Early bulbs like tulips and hyacinths are already beginning to wither, drawing their energy inward so they can bloom again next year.
In our schools, this same mix of renewal and fatigue is in the air. Spring brings excitement, but also uncertainty: staffing shifts, spring fatigue, and the emotional weight of waiting to hear about rehiring decisions. For some, this season feels bright; for others, it feels heavy.
As mentors, this is our moment to meet people where they are to notice who is thriving, who is tired, and who is quietly gathering strength for whatever comes next. Let this mentoring season be one that honors every stage of growth and supports each person in the way they need.
Ongoing Learning Mentor Roundtable
Join us in May to encourage meaningful celebration of growth for your mentees!
Focus of the Month
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Standard 1: Cultivates learning-focused relationships with mentee through learning-focused conversations
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Standard 2: Promotes mentee’s reflective practices in service of growth for teacher and students
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Standard 3: Focuses on own professional growth and reflection and adheres to professional ethics/codes of conduct.
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Standard 5: Connects mentee to multiple layers of organizational systems and facilitates mentee’s connections to various learning communities
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Essential Question: How do we guide educators in meaningful celebration of growth
while strengthening their connections to professional learning
communities?
Do these scenarios feel familiar to you? In this month, we will engage in learning to support mentees in these situations.
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First-year educator emotionally exhausted and doubting their effectiveness
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New educator who made growth but didn’t meet benchmarks
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Educator feeling anxious about next year and “starting over” with a change of assignment (grade level/building...)
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Educator whose contract is not being renewed
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A first-year educator reflects that the year went better than they expected and they’re already thinking about summer planning and want next year to be even stronger...
Join our Mentor Roundtables this month to learn in community!
In-Person Training Opportunities
Foundational Learning
Mentor Academy 101
In June, ESD101 is hosting an IN-PERSON MA101 on June 24 and 25, Wednesday and Thursday. This is an opportunity open for all mentors in the Spokane Area.
Sign-up here: BEST Mentor Academy 101 in-person_Spokane
BEST grant is accepting applications for 2026-27 in EGMS. LEAs are welcome to apply for this competitive grant by June 30, 2026.
Not sure if your district is a BEST grantee?
See here for a list of current BEST grantees.
Upcoming Events and Trainings 2026-27
BEST events for 2026-27 are published on our website. Plan the next steps for your learning by exploring our offerings of Foundational, Extended, and Ongoing Learning Opportunities!
What's your next step in becoming a highly-trained and qualified mentor?
BEST Mentor Learning and Development Pathways
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