DOE’s mentoring programs target educators at various career stages

South Dakota Mentoring Program

The South Dakota Mentoring Program is accepting registrations from new teachers to be included in a two-year program that will provide them with access to a veteran teacher who offers support, encouragement, and experience throughout those critical first two years of teaching. The program is also accepting applications from experienced teachers to serve as mentors. Mentor-teachers must have at least five years of teaching experience within the last seven years. Mentors will receive a $1,500 stipend each year of the program when the requirements have been met.

Interested teachers should visit the DOE’s mentoring webpage for more information. Teachers have until Sept. 2, 2024, to register.

Good to Great Teachers

Good to Great Teachers is a program for teachers in years three through five of their teaching careers. Experienced educators will provide training and practice for participants to increase confidence in communication skills, classroom management, and student engagement. (Cohort style; not one-to-one mentoring.) The program will consist of in-person events, webinars/small group chats, and observations. Participants will be reimbursed travel expenses as well as substitute reimbursement for all in-person events.

The application window for the 2024-25 programming year is between April 2 and July 12. To learn more, visit the DOE’s Good to Great Teachers webpage.

South Dakota Principal Leadership & Development Program

The South Dakota Principal Leadership & Development Program (PLD) is designed to provide professional development, resources, and a network of support for early career principals (1-5 years). Within this program, early career principals are teamed up with a mentor principal to sharpen decision-making skills, to develop instructional leadership and management skills, to provide guidance and resources, and to strengthen the networks of school principals.

For more information, visit the DOE's Leadership and Development Program webpage. Contact Hope Paulson to register.