BEST Tips for Mentors: August 2026

What does it take to become a highly trained and qualified BEST mentor? 

BEST Mentor Learning and Development Pathways

Upcoming BEST Events

All BEST events can be found here: BEST Events and Trainings 2026-27

You're also welcome to register with the following links.

Foundational Learning

Mentor Academy 101

• 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1
• 9/14, 9/16
• 9/22, 9/24
• 9/29, 10/6, 13, 20
• 10/3, 10/10
• 10/12, 10/14 10/27, 10/29

Mentor Academy 201

• 9/21, 9/23 )
• 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4
• 5/1, 5/8
• 6/21, 6/23

Extended Learning

Observation and Feedback

• 10/20, 22
• 2/9, 2/11
• 3/6 in-person, for BIPOC Educators

Mentoring School Nurses

• 1/20, 27
• 5/26, 6/2

Mentoring School Counselors

• 10/7, 14, 21, 28

Mentoring ESAs

• 1/20, 27 ESA-SPED
• 5/12, 19 ESA-non role specific

Mentoring Teachers of Special Education

• 8/18, 20, 25, 27 2/23, 2/25, 3/2, 3/4

Ongoing Learning: Mentor Roundtables

• SPED
• BIPOC 10-12pm
• BIPOC 5:30-7:30pm
• ESA
• School Counselor
• General 9-11am
• General 10-12pm
• General 10-12pm
• General 4:30-6:30pm
• Asynchronous

Academy event registration will close 48 hours prior to the academy. Please plan ahead and register prior to 48 hours to the event. If registration has closed and you want to get in, please contact us: best@k12.wa.us. We can help! Thank you.

BEST Resources

• Standards for Beginning Educator Induction
• Early Warning Surveys
• Foundations for Learning
• Washington State Standards for Mentoring
• Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (CCDEI) Standards for Educators

Contact BEST

E: best@k12.wa.us

P: (360) 725-6430

Tips for Mentors
August 2026

Dear Mentors,

As we prepare to welcome a new school year, it's easy to feel swept up in the busyness of schedules, classrooms, and countless to-do lists. Before the pace of the school year takes over, take a moment to remember a time this summer when you felt calm and grounded, perhaps a peaceful walk through a forest with a loved one, feeling the cool breeze on your skin, listening to birds chirping overhead, and noticing the beauty around you. As mentors, we have an opportunity to create that same sense of calm and safety for our beginning educators. By offering a listening ear, encouragement, and a steady presence, we can help new teachers feel supported, valued, and confident as they navigate the excitement and challenges of a new school year.

Here are some resources for you as you plan for the new year:

First Time Mentor? A Baker’s Dozen Tips for Guiding New Teachers Through Their First Year | Corwin Connect

Relational Support for New Teachers | ISTE+ASCD Blog

Mentor Calendar of Options | Mentoring Matters

Designing a Plan to Build Trust | Art of Coaching Workbook

BEST 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

Start with our Foundational Learning Opportunities:

• Mentor Academy 101
• Mentor Academy 201
• Nakia Academy (equivalent to MA101 & 201)

Move into our Mentor Extended Learning:

• Using Instructional Framework in Observation and Feedback
• Mentoring Teachers of Special Education
• Mentoring ESAs
• Mentoring School Counselors
• Mentoring School Nurses

And continue to engage in learning year round through our Ongoing Learning Mentor Roundtable:

• 2026-27 BEST Mentor Roundtable Session Descriptions
• BEST Ongoing Learning Tour Guide

 Asynchronous Mentor Roundtable

Through this fully online, asynchronous Mentor Roundtable, full-release mentors, colleague mentors, coaches & administrators working across elementary, secondary, & district-level settings can take advantage of & engage in resources to build their coaching & mentoring toolkit to support educator growth & development.

Sign-up here. Canvas course will be available from September 15, 2026.

Nakia Academy Application is Open

Apply here: Nakia Application

Nakia Academy is thrilled to accept applications for the next statewide Nakia Academy cohorts, designed for educators of color across Washington. This year's academy continues and expands the partnership between WEA, OSPI's BEST, the Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA) and the Office of Native Education (ONE). Rooted in culturally responsible coaching and mentoring, Nakia offers a safe, affirming space for educators of color to build relationships, deepen leadership and organize for equity in their schools, unions and communities.

This year, we are offering:

• Cohorts A, B and C for certificated educators, ESAs and higher education professionals
• Cohort D exclusively for school counselors in partnership with WSCA
• Cohort E, which centers Indigenous educators, in collaboration with the Office of Native Education

See more information here.

Have you considered hosting your own in-district Mentor Ongoing Learning?

If you are a mentor and a district leader, BEST offers an exciting opportunity for you to access our Mentor Roundtable content and host sessions in your district. Fill out the survey below to let BEST know your interest and preference:

BEST Ongoing Learning Mentor Roundtable Grantee Survey

BEST offers the following ways for system leaders to support Ongoing Learning for your mentors:

• Send Mentors to BEST Statewide Roundtables
• Encourage Mentors to Join BEST Asynchronous Roundtable on Canvas
• Host Your Own Roundtable Locally
• Sign-up to Receive BEST Roundtable Materials in pdf

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting beginning educators and mentors across Washington!

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