Mentor Resources
MENTORS in CS: Matching Experienced and Novice Teachers for Ongoing Rigorous Support in Computer Science
We are so excited to have you join our project to provide ongoing, rigorous 1:1 support to novice high school CS teachers during the 2023-24 school year. As mentors, you will help teacher mentees to self-reflect, set professional learning goals, plan for and reflect on lessons, address challenges, build knowledge and skills, and monitor progress towards goals.
This page is just for mentors and has all of the resources you will need for the project. We will continue to update the page throughout the year.
Responsibilities
- Virtually meet with mentee twice per month (about one hour each, at a consistent and mutually agreeable time) from September to June
- Participate in and monthly community of practice meetings with other mentors (Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30pm CT)
- Participate in research activities, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews (many will be completed during mentoring or community of practice meetings)
Total time commitment is ~ 4 hours per month during the 2023-24 school year.
Benefits
- $2,000 stipend (half paid in January and July)
- Mentor training and materials / structures
- Participation in a community of practice
- Continued professional growth
Community of Practice Resources
Goals
- Clarify the goals, responsibilities, and structure of the program.
- Explain the research aspect of the project, and provide consent.
- Explain how to complete a self-reflection aligned to three of the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers.
- Meet your mentoring partner. Begin to get to know one another, and discuss expectations and boundaries for mentoring. Start developing a partnership agreement.
- Build community across the cohort of mentees and mentors.
Agenda
- Welcome & Overview (5 mins)
- Community Building (15 mins)
- Project + Research Overview (10 mins)
- Meet Your Mentoring Partner (15 mins)
- Mentoring Structures (10 mins)
- Partnership Agreement (15 mins)
- How to Complete Self-Reflection (5 mins)
- Close-out (10 mins)
Resources
Goals
- Review refined mentoring toolkit
- Preview responsibilities and timeline for the year
- Collect feedback on content to cover during CoP meetings
- Discuss how every conversation can be a conversation about equity
- Discuss how to build relationships with mentoring partners
Agenda
- Welcome & Overview (5 mins)
- Reflections & Promising Practices (25 mins)
- Program Overview & Responsibilities (10 mins)
- Integrating Equity in All Conversations (30 mins)
- Refined Mentoring Toolkit (5 mins)
- Planning for the Year (10 mins)
- Close-out (5 mins)
Resources
- Slide Deck
- Article: “You can coach for equity anywhere, with anyone”
- Podcast (episode): Bright Morning
- Book: Coaching for Equity
- Book club resources from DPI
- Form: Update address or bio
- Form: Request Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain book
- Feedback Survey
Find the link to your personalized mentoring toolkit below. Note: the files are only accessible to the specific mentor and mentee, plus CSTA staff.
Participant Directory
We recently updated the directory. If you want to adjust your profile, bio, or photo, please submit this form.
Project Team
MENTORS in CS is a National Science Foundation-supported research/practice partnership among CSTA, WestEd, and the CSTA Wisconsin Dairyland chapter.

Bryan Twarek
PI, Vice-President of Education & Research

Dr. DaQuan Bashir
Professional Learning Manager

Dr. Aleata Hubbard Cheuoua
Co-PI, Senior Research Associate

Dr. Jennifer Tsan
Research Associate

Amy Fetherston
Co-President

Linnea Logan
Co-President
Contact: mentors@csteachers.org

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 2031314 and 2318232.