All school districts must have a district mentoring program to provide nontenured teachers with an induction to the teaching profession and to the school district community through differentiated supports based on the teachers’ individual needs (N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5.1). As part of the induction, nontenured novice provisional teachers who hold a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) must receive one-to-one mentoring.

Maintaining the mentor/mentee relationship during the closures due to COVID-19 is critical. Mentors are employing various methods to continue to support their novice provisional teachers through this difficult period.  Below is general guidance for offering ongoing support to mentors and novice provisional teachers.

• N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5.1 requires novice provisional teachers to receive the equivalent of at least 30 total weeks of mentoring.
• CE holders must receive at least eight weeks of one-to-one meetings with their mentors.
• CEAS holders must receive at least four weeks of one-to-one meetings with their mentors.

• A school district may count mentoring provided during the State’s mandated closure of schools to students towards the 30-week minimum required under J.A.C. 6A:9C-5.1.
• Based on the novice teacher’s level of preparedness and the degree of support provided during closure, districts may determine that when schools re-open, some mentees will need mentoring beyond the minimum requirement.