Mentoring & Induction

Overview

Download the Mentoring & Induction One-pager

CERRA believes that a strong system of mentoring is vital to support new teachers and improve teacher retention rates in South Carolina. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, you are in the right place.

The criteria for becoming a mentor in South Carolina can be found on pages 5-6 of the SC Induction and Mentoring Guidelines. Mentors must be continuing-contract educators who are effective practitioners, have the desire and dispositions to support the professional growth and transition of novice educators, and have the recommendation of their employing districts.

Each district has a process for selecting mentors, so contact your District's Mentoring and Induction Coordinator for more information.

Below you will find descriptions of the various mentoring initiatives at CERRA.

Becoming a Mentor

The two-day South Carolina Mentor Training focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings critical to those who work with beginning teachers. It is guided by the belief that learning to teach is a career-long developmental process that involves a continuous cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting. At the heart of this work is the mentor’s ability to respond to each new teacher’s individual developmental and contextual needs and to promote the ongoing examination of classroom practice.

CERRA hosts statewide and regional training sessions on a regular basis for those interested in becoming a mentor. Individual schools districts may also host trainings throughout the school year.

View Upcoming Mentor Trainings

Becoming a Mentor Trainer

Experienced mentors interested in becoming a trainer must attend the two-day Mentor Trainer Certification Training and have the approval of their district’s Mentoring and Induction coordinator. Trainers will receive access to an online hub that houses materials and resources needed to conduct a training in their district.

CERRA hosts statewide and regional Mentor Trainer Certification Training sessions on a regular basis.

View Upcoming Trainer Certification Trainings

FAQ's for educators interested in or currently serving as a mentor:

AM I ELIGIBLE TO BE A MENTOR?

The Induction and Mentoring Guidelines specify the minimum requirements to serve as a mentor. They are:
Requirements for becoming a Mentor:

Valid educator certificate for his or her professional position
Minimum of one year of successful teaching at the continuing contract level
Recommendation of a school administrator and the Induction and Mentoring Coordinator
Demonstrated proficiency in use of instructional technology
Current practitioner or has been employed in a SC public school within the last five years
Successful completion of all required Mentor trainings and activities

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN THE ABILITY TO MENTOR
AFTER TRAINING?

You must complete 18 hours of professional development related to mentoring every five years. For the first five-year cycle, that must include the SCTS 4.0 Evaluator training if you have not already had that training. Your school or district leadership can help you find ways to meet this requirement. You may use these hours towards certificate renewal.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BRING A COPY OF MY CERTIFICATE TO TRAINING.
WHERE DO I GET THIS, AND DO I REALLY NEED IT?

Yes, it is important to bring the certificate to training. As you can imagine, there are many mentor trainings taking place each year both at the state level and the district level. In order to ensure that data is correctly entered into the system, your trainer needs the copy of your certificate to verify your CID. You can find the certificate on your educator portal.

Yes, you may certainly serve in both capacities. It is crucial, however, that you do not ever evaluate anyone who you have mentored.

How do I get another copy of my mentor training certificate of completion?

CERRA does not keep school district training certificates on file. Have you contacted your district office for a copy of your certificate of completion?