Become a Mentor

Welcome, and thank you for you interest in becoming an NJL2L Mentor. Please read the following information carefully before completing the online NJL2L Mentor Application.

All mentor Candidates must provide a written statement that depicts the highlights of your career in school leadership. Include special initiatives, areas of expertise, and accomplishments that speak to your effectiveness as a leader.

In addition, retired mentor candidates must respond to the following

  • Provide a list of professional activities in which you have engaged since retirement that have served to keep you updated in NJ School Reform initiatives.
  • All mentor candidates must submit a current letter of reference that speaks to your capacity to mentor. The letter must be from an educator with whom the candidate has worked (i.e. teacher, superintendent, assistant superintendent, director)

Mentor Eligibility

  • Eligible mentors are retired school leaders and currently employed school leaders who hold New Jersey standard principal certification and have at least five years of experience as principal and/or director in New Jersey public schools.

Mentor Training

  • All eligible mentors must complete three evenings or two days of State-required NJL2L mentor training.
  • Mentors pay a registration fee of $75 for the training program. Payment is made by personal check payable to FEA on Day 1 of the training.
  • All active mentors are required to complete Mentor Re-Certification training annually. The fee for this training is $75.

Mentor 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.

Mentor Selection

  • All mentor applications and resumes are reviewed by the NJL2L Coordinator for approval based on NJL2L eligibility criteria.
  • Accepted applications will be notified in writing by the NJL2L Coordinator, and will be sent an FEA consultant contract log-in and password to register online for the required mentor training.
  • Applicants who do not meet eligibility criteria will be notified in writing and will be 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 Director for School Leadership Programs to make a final decision and will then notify the applicant in writing.

Mentor Pairing With The New School Leaders

  • NJL2L Coordinator 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).
  • 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 with good reason if either the mentor or new school leader requests it. Residents and mentors are asked to communicate with each other the need for a change in mentor before the change will be made.

Summary of Mentor Responsibilities

  • Mentors play a key role in guiding and supporting Residents as they plan and conduct each required Residency activities.
  • Mentors provide continual feedback in a trusting and supportive relationship that focuses on enhancing the Residents’ readiness for the challenges of their school leader positions, and supporting their continuing professional growth to meet the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leadership
  • Mentors meet with their Residents as follows:
    • one-on-one conferences
    • on-site visitations and observations
    • Peer Support/Professional Collaboration Group meetings
  • It is expected that Mentor-Resident communication will be ongoing as needed via telephone and email. Mentor-Resident contact will occur as needed and at the direction of the mentor and Resident during summer months and at other times when schools are not in session as appropriate and necessary.
  • Peer Support/Professional Collaboration Groups are organized within regions/counties across the State to enable Residents from various districts to meet with other Residents an 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 will organize and facilitate the Peer Support/Professional Collaboration Group meetings.
  • Peer Support/Professional Collaboration Groups meet on a regular basis during Year 1 and Year 2 of the Residency once a month and also engage in ongoing communication and online discussions throughout the Residency.
  • In accordance with State requirements, Mentors complete regular assessment reports for each Resident based on their ongoing observations, formal conferences and interactions with the Resident, and the mentor’s review of evidence related to their:
    1. progress toward required activities;
    2. demonstration of leadership knowledge, skills and personal dispositions, as indicated by the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leaders; and
    3. professional growth in the leadership knowledge, skills and personal dispositions, as indicated by the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leaders.

    All assessments and interactions between the mentor and Resident are CONFIDENTIAL.

  • At the end of the Year 2 residency, mentors complete a Summative Assessment Report, which includes the mentor’s recommendation for Standard Principal Certification.

Complete the mentor application