Mentoring
Mentors play a key role in the NJL2L Residency Program. They provide continual feedback in a confidential, trusting and supportive relationship that focuses on enhancing the Residents’ readiness for the challenges of their school leader positions, and supporting their continued professional growth to meet the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leadership.
becoming a mentor
Thank you for your interest in becoming a mentor for the NJL2L Program. Please review the below information carefully before completing the Mentor Application Form.
The Application
Each applicant is required to upload his/her resume and submit it with the online application.
The application will not be submitted electronically without the resume attached.
*NOTE: Applications for mentoring will reopen April 30, 2024.
Mentor Eligibility
Eligible mentors are currently employed or retired school leaders who hold a New Jersey standard principal certification and have at least five (5) years of experience as principal and/or director in New Jersey public schools.
All mentors must be able to communicate electronically via e-mail and download documents from/navgiate the NJ-L2L website.
Mentors are required to have access to their own computer (with both audio and video capabilities) for training programs and NJPSA/FEA information access.
Mentor Selection
All mentor applications and resumes are reviewed by the NJ-L2L Coordinator for approval based on NJL2L eligibility criteria.
Accepted applications will be notified via email by the NJ-L2L Coordinator, and will be sent login information for their mentor profile and instructions to register for New Mentor Training.
Applicants who do not meet eligibility criteria will be notified via email and provided an opportunity to present additional information that may clarify his/her eligibility.
In cases where eligibility may be reconsidered, the NJL2L Coordinator may consult with the Associate Director for School Leadership Programs to make a final decision.
Training and Recertification
All eligible mentors must complete twelve (12) hours of State-required NJL2L mentor training. Training sessions meet throughout the year as three (3) four hour evening trainings, or two (2) six hour summer training sessions.
Mentor training dates are posted on the NJPSA website and mentors are required to register online for mentor training sessions on www.NJPSA.org.
Mentors pay a registration fee of $75 for the twelve hour training program. Payment by credit card is made at the time of checkout during registration.
All active mentors are required to complete a single-day Mentor recertification session annually. The fee for this training is $70.
Mentor-Resident Pairing
NJL2L pairs trained mentors and new school leaders based on the administrative experience of the mentor related to: types of positions held (i.e. principal, director); grade levels (i.e. primary, elementary, middle, high school); district/community types (i.e. urban, rural, suburban,regional); and school types (i.e. technical, special education). Mentors do not request specific residents, nor do residents request specific mentors.
Pairing also considers the unique experience and/or expertise of mentors that may be particularly suitable to circumstances of new school leaders.
Mentors and new school leaders will have an opportunity to meet to determine if the “fit” is right for each of them. The pairing may be changed within the first eight (8) weeks of the program with good reason if either the mentor or new school leader so requests.
Mentors will not be paired with Residents from their own school districts or who they evaluate for the school district.
Mentor responsibilites
Communication
Mentors meet with their residents a for minimum of forty-five (45) contact hours during Year 1 and a minimum of thirty (30) hours during Year 2, which include one-on-one conferences, and on-site visitations and observations, and Peer Support Group meetings.
It is expected that mentor-resident communication be ongoing as needed via telephone, email, text, etc., including during summer months and at other times when schools are not in session as appropriate and necessary.
Peer support groups
Peer Support Groups are organized within regions/counties across the state to enable residents from various districts to meet with one another and engage in discussions related to their residency and job-related experiences as new school leaders. Peer Support Group meetings provide a “team mentoring” approach that capitalizes on the range and depth of experience and expertise of the mentors, who organize and facilitate the meetings.
Peer Support Groups meet on a monthly basis for a minimum of one (1) hour per meeting.
assessments
In accordance with State requirements, mentors complete regular assessments for each resident based on their ongoing observations, formal conferences, interactions, and the mentor’s review of evidence related to their (1) progress toward residency requirements, and (2) demonstration of professional growth through leadership knowledge, skills and personal dispositions, as indicated by the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leaders.
At the end of the 24 months of residency, mentors complete a summative assessment, which includes the mentor’s recommendation for Standard Principal Certification.