Mentor Teacher Program

The Amherst County Teacher Mentor program in based on evidence based best practices in the area of Instructional Coaching. ACPS provides direct mentoring support to teachers (mentees) in their first two years of teaching in the division. Each new teacher is paired with a trained mentor. Mentors meet with their mentees during ACPS’ New Teacher Orientation week to begin building relationships and to initiate the induction process focused on helping new teachers feel Confident, Connected, and Competent. Mentor teachers continue to work with their mentee during ACPS’ Teacher Work Week(s) to continue the processes and practices that were initiated in the previous week.

Throughout the school year, ACPS’ mentors utilize the tools and resources available to them to help their mentees become reflective in their practices, focus on data to inform their practices, and to help them grow in their ability to be effective educators for Every Child, Every Day! Mentors will observe the mentee teacher twice per semester and participate in pre/post conferences with the teacher. ACPS division Lead Mentors will engage all mentors in professional development though multiple Mentor Forums during the school year. The goal of the mentoring program is to attract and retain outstanding teachers and to improve student learning outcomes by supporting the development of reflective, inspired, and student centered teachers.