Mentoring

Educator mentoring is essential because becoming a great educator doesn’t happen in isolation—it grows through guidance, support, and shared expertise. Mentoring helps educators build confidence, refine their practice, and navigate challenges with clarity and purpose. By investing in mentoring, schools strengthen educators' effectiveness, boost retention, and ultimately create better learning experiences for students. Simply put, mentoring empowers educators to thrive, not just survive.

A mentoring program is required and is based on the State Board approved guidelines that is established and maintained the local district for the purpose of providing educators employed under an initial license with professional support and continuous assistance from a mentor.

Teacher Mentoring

All educators under an initial teaching license must complete at least a two-year approved mentoring program while employed under their initial teaching license to be eligible to upgrade to the professional license.

School Specialist Mentoring

A School Specialist is an educator, other than a teacher or school leader, who is required to hold an educator license to provide specialized professional support services.

Educators must hold an initial school specialist license and be serving in a school specialist position, while they are mentored, for at least one year. 

School Specialists endorsements are:

  • Library Media Specialist
  • Reading Specialist
  • School Counselor
  • School Psychologist
  • Teacher Leader

Building and District Leadership Mentoring

A School Leader is an educator, other than a teacher or school specialist, who is required to hold an educator license while serving in a building or district leadership role. 

Educators must hold an initial building or district leadership license and serve in a building or district leadership position, while they are mentored, for at least one year to be eligible to upgrade to the professional license.

Approved Leadership Mentoring Program

Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI)

As a partner in the development of the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI), KSDE considers KELI a recommended choice for leadership mentoring at the building and system levels. In addition, many systems have their own approved plans and there are outside providers that may also offer this service.

ESSDACK For building- and district-level administrators

Greenbush Education Service Center For building-level administrators

Southwest Plains Regional Service For building- and district-level administrators

 

For more information, contact:

Licensure
(785) 296-2288