Beginning Educator Support Team
Overview
The purpose of the Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program is to provide support and encouragement for first and second year teachers in order to strengthen their instructional skills and to retain competent teachers in the profession. Seven districts are part of the ESD 112 Consortium: Battle Ground, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Hockinson, Kalama, Kelso, and Ridgefield. New teachers are matched with a trained mentor to visit and support them in the classroom. Release time is provided for mentees and mentors, as well as a stipend for participation in the program. Professional development is focused on knowledge and skills for effective teaching and communicating learning. Mentors have opportunities to participate in mentor training and regional Mentor Round Tables. Clock hours are offered for all time spent in professional development.
For more information, contact:
Barbara Lomas, Director, 360-750-7505 x244
Kathy Whitlock, Coordinator, 360-750-7505
BEST Professional Development Support
This year our grant provides opportunities for mentors and mentees to meet together in Professional Growth Planning (PGP) sessions to self evaluate mentee strengths and areas of focus, learn about the Professional Certification Standards and New Teacher Evaluation Criteria, plan professional development opportunities and network with others around problems of practice.
Based upon participant’s personal goals, first year mentees are able to register for 3 online courses and second year and provisional new to teaching assignment mentees are able to register for 2 online courses , that help them to meet their PGP goals.
Mentor’s receive support for their role through the Mentor Academy and Mentor Roundtables.
- Professional Growth Plan (PGP)
- Register for courses
- Register for online courses
- Printable BEST Course Descriptions PDF
Professional Certification Links
For more information about professional certification and the ProTeach Portfolio go to:
OSPI Resources for Beginning Teachers and Mentors
- Resources for teachers, mentors and administrators
- Professional Certification Standards for Teachers
- Washington Teacher / Principal Evaluation Pilot (TPEP)
Other Resources for Beginning Teachers & Mentors
- New Teacher Center
- National School Reform Faculty
- The New Teacher Project
- Teacher's Network: New Teachers Online
- Educational Development Center
- Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP)
- West Ed
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
- U.S. Department of Education
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
- National Staff Development Council (NSDC)