MENTORS in CS
Matching Experienced and Novice Teachers for Ongoing Rigorous Support in Computer Science
As the number of CS teachers increases to meet the burgeoning course offerings in the U.S., teachers new to the discipline need additional supports beyond one-time workshops focused on particular curricula. To address this need, we developed a year-long, peer mentoring program.
Mentors are teachers with 4+ years of CS teaching experience, and mentees are teachers who are new to teaching CS. They are strategically matched in 1:1 partnerships based on context and goals. Across one academic year, they meet twice monthly to identify and work towards three goals related to the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers. Through individualized support through 1:1 mentorship, teachers will demonstrate increased confidence, pedagogical content knowledge, and use of inclusive teaching practices.
Activities
Key project activities include:
- teacher recruitment and matching
- one-on-one mentoring
- mentoring tools and resources development
- mentor training
- community of practice
Observed CS Teacher Outcomes
Mentees demonstrated:
- a reflective stance towards their teaching
- increased confidence in CS teaching knowledge and pedagogical practices
- increased use of equitable and inclusive teaching practices
Mentors demonstrated:
- high confidence in CS teaching
- greater skills and confidence in their abilities to mentor and support other teachers
Get Involved
We seek high school CS teachers to participate in the mentorship program. Our program will support teachers who are CSTA members for the 26-27 school year.
Mentors
4+ years of experience teaching CS, and interested in leadership, collaboration, and professional growth
Deadline: May 22nd, 2026 @ 12 pm CT
Mentees
New to teaching CS, and interested in professional growth, collaboration, and community building
Deadline: May 22nd, 2026 @ 12 pm CT
Community Leaders
Looking to start your own mentoring program? Check out our new CSTA MENTORS in CS Program Guide and our Mentoring Tools!
Learning through Research
Data indicate that both mentees and mentors benefited from the program, gaining increased confidence in teaching and mentoring. Through design-based implementation research, we continuously improved structures and resources across five years of implementation in three distinct communities.
Learn more in our recent research publications.
Project Team
MENTORS in CS is a National Science Foundation-supported research/practice partnership among CSTA, WestEd, three communities: the CSTA Wisconsin Dairyland chapter, the CSTA New Jersey chapter, and CSTA’s Black Affinity Group.
Bryan Twarek
PI, Head of Research & Innovation
Portia Morrell
Program Manager
Dr. Aleata Hubbard Cheuoua
Co-PI, Senior Research Associate
Amy Fetherston
Linnea Logan
Tonya Davis
Dominick Sanders
Kathy Effner
Kevin Jala
Contact: mentors@csteachers.org
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 2031314 and 2318232.