Free teaching resource
First 30 Days of New-Teacher Mentoring
Use an adaptable first-month mentoring cycle that lets a new teacher choose a focus, meet with a mentor, gather low-inference observation notes when locally appropriate, select one support action, and reflect at follow-up. Clarify locally whether the relationship is developmental mentoring or formal evaluation and how notes may be used before an observation.
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- Who it is for
- Teacher planning and professional use
- Preparation
- About 10 minutes.
- Use / example time
- About 15 minutes. Untested estimate for a mentor/new-teacher orientation; actual meeting lengths and cadence are set locally.
- Teacher guidance
- Separate teacher files include completed examples or answer and scoring guidance.
Materials
- This toolkit in print or editable form.
- A locally agreed meeting/observation time and current authorized guidance about role boundaries and note handling, if applicable.
Download the complete resource
- First-month mentoring checklist, agenda, observation form, and follow-up planner — Editable Word file (39 KB)
- First-month mentoring checklist, agenda, observation form, and follow-up planner — Printable PDF (59 KB)
- Teacher guide: fictional first-month mentoring cycle and adaptation notes — Editable Word file (40 KB)
- Teacher guide: fictional first-month mentoring cycle and adaptation notes — Printable PDF (68 KB)
Keep teacher guidance and answers separate from student copies. Word files contain editable text; the PDF files are ready to print.
Support and adaptation
- If a first meeting feels too broad, invite the new teacher to name one current question and one support they want. Agree only one next action. If the role or note boundary is unclear, do not start observation or record notes until current authorized local guidance clarifies the process.
Extension
- Compare two possible support actions for the same teacher-selected focus. Choose one that preserves the new teacher’s agency, is available locally, and can be revisited with observable evidence; explain why the alternative was not selected for this cycle.
Preview
Review and use
Version 0.1.1. Independent AI release review passed. Review included a blind task or tool check, a separate instructional audit and file checks. This is not a claim of classroom testing or human certification.
Timing is estimated. Assistive-technology, Microsoft Word and Google Docs testing has not been completed. Use the editable files to adapt the resource to your learners and local curriculum.
You may print, copy and adapt the resource for your planning and classroom use under our Terms of Use. Report a resource issue.