Peer Mentor For Novice Educators Pool (Internal Applicants Only) 2026-27

Bellevue School District•Bellevue, WA

About The Position

The LAUNCH Program supports Bellevue School District’s commitment to retaining and developing high-quality educators through structured mentoring, coaching, and professional learning. LAUNCH is designed to support novice educators in their first years of practice by building instructional skill, strengthening professional identity, and fostering a sense of belonging within the Bellevue professional community. Peer Mentors play a critical role in this work by providing confidential, non-evaluative coaching that helps novice educators reflect on practice, navigate the complexities of teaching, and accelerate professional growth. Mentors support new educators in developing instructional expertise, understanding district systems and expectations, and building sustainable practices that promote long-term success in the profession. This position requires additional time outside an educator’s regular assignment. The success of the position is based upon the current professional practice of the peer mentor. All assigned peer mentors will receive a stipend. COMMITMENT TO EQUITY : The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.

Requirements

Willing to or has completed one of the BEST Foundational Opportunities: 101 Mentoring Academy or Nakia Academy
Have at least three years of demonstrated successful teaching experience and at least one year of teacher leadership experience.
Demonstrated effective instructional leadership.
Demonstrated effective organizational skills.
Experience of effective relationships with students, parents, and certificated and classified personnel.
Demonstrated ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
Demonstrates honesty, empathy, integrity, and a human-centered approach in working with others.
Evaluations of employment that support the qualities of the candidate.
Possess a valid Washington state teaching certificate or ESA certificate.
Principles of adult learning and coaching practices
Reflective practice and professional growth cycles
Instructional coaching models
Strategies for supporting early-career educators, and their unique needs
Current experience, knowledge, and commitment to the needs of children; young adults and/or maturing adolescents
Quality instruction for students, such as research-based pedagogy and classroom learning environment
The Danielson Framework for Teaching
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and uphold the non-evaluative nature of mentoring.
Ability to balance mentoring responsibilities with regular teaching duties.
Coaching and facilitation skills to support reflective professional dialogue
Ability to ask probing questions that promote critical thinking and professional growth
Ability to provide constructive feedback that strengthens instructional practice
Ability to build trust and psychological safety with novice educators
Ability to work cooperatively to provide professional and instructional support
Recognize quality instruction and support others in attaining the same
Take initiative to solve problems, propose, implement, and assess solutions
Communicate skillfully, both verbally and in writing
Provides positive, collaborative leadership to staff, students and the community.
Builds and maintains a culture that fosters collaborative relationships with students, staff and the community.
Models exemplary professionalism.
Expresses and communicates ideas clearly for different audiences in oral presentation and in written communication.
Ability to seek relevant and current data, analyze and research complex information.
Ability to reach logical conclusions, make high quality decisions, and set priorities.
Experience responding to and engaging in a diverse multi-cultural and multi-racial community.
Experience involving others in solving problems and guiding them to accomplishment and manage conflict in a positive and professional manner.
Experience as a strong facilitator and skilled at group process; positive attitude, sense of collegiality.
Experience in leading discussions and facilitating meetings.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to support adult learning through coaching, facilitation, and reflective dialogue.
Demonstrated commitment to supporting novice educators and fostering professional growth.
Training and/or experience working with students with a variety of educational abilities, backgrounds, skills and cultures; including special needs, multiple language learners, and/or special education, and/or “at-risk”.
The most competitive candidates are able to speak a language other than English fluently.
Other criteria may be established by the selection committee.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a trusting mentoring relationship with assigned novice educator(s).
Provide confidential, non-evaluative instructional coaching that promotes reflection, professional growth, and improved student learning.
Support novice educators in developing instructional practices aligned with district expectations and research-based pedagogy.
Support novice educators in adjusting to Bellevue School District’s professional norms, systems, and contractual responsibilities.
Guide novice educators in goal setting, reflection, and professional growth planning.
Maintain confidentiality in all coaching conversations, except in cases where disclosure is required by law or district policy (e.g., concerns related to student safety, abuse, neglect, or imminent harm).
Meet with novice educator(s) at least one (1) time per week, adjusting frequency based on educator needs and program expectations.
Provide opportunities for novice educators to observe effective instructional practice by inviting them to observe the mentor’s classroom at least once per quarter.
Conduct classroom observations of the novice educator and provide ongoing non-evaluative written feedback at least once per month.
Model reflective practice and support novice educators in analyzing instructional decisions and student outcomes.
Share instructional strategies, resources, and professional tools to support effective teaching and classroom management.
Participate in program learning opportunities, including monthly mentor sessions with the Program Coordinator.
Complete one (1) BEST Foundational Opportunity (Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy).
Maintain documentation of mentoring interactions as required by the program.
Collaborate with program leadership to support continuous improvement of the LAUNCH mentoring program.
Other duties as assigned.