mentorship

NDCEL Principal, Superintendent & CTE Director Mentorship Program

2025-2026 Mentorship Registration is open NOW!

See the positive impacts of mentoring by click here!

New This Year: Mentorship Opens Early!
We’re excited to open our Mentorship Program earlier than usual—welcoming the 2025–2026 Year One Mentees into the fold at Summer Conference!

By joining early, new mentees will:

  • Hear firsthand experiences from current participants about how the program has supported them throughout the year

  • Enter the new school year with no gap in support

  • Build relationships with administrators across the state—so you start Day 1 with a built-in network

  • Receive a special Summer Conference rate just for incoming 25–26 Year One mentees

Please note: While official programming doesn’t begin until the Mentorship Kickoff on August 6, early registration gives you a head start—connecting you with your cohort, engaging in summer conference experiences, and entering the school year with confidence.

Register Today!

Early registration gives you the flexibility to pay the mentorship fee now or apply it to your 2025–2026 budget year.

Year one: $3,500
Year two: $3,000
Year three+: $2,500
*Tip: You can negotiate the mentorship program into your contract.

NDCEL Mentorship Program

Supporting North Dakota’s Newest School Leaders

Program Objective
An effective mentorship experience is critical to a successful start in school leadership. Grounded in research-based practices and real-life administrative experiences, this program supports new administrators—especially those in their first three years—through structured guidance, collaborative problem-solving, and personalized support.

Participants will engage in case studies, use a consultancy protocol, and tackle real-world challenges alongside a supportive cohort. Each mentee will be paired with mentors who provide insight, feedback, and encouragement throughout the year.

The result? A strong, trusted network of professional peers and relationships that often last an entire career.

Program Design
This cohort-based model includes two levels of mentorship:

  • Instructional Mentors: Experienced administrators who lead face-to-face and virtual sessions based on a shared agenda. They facilitate discussion, monitor progress, support challenges shared via WhatsApp, and help mentees grow through real-time guidance.

  • Support Mentors: Seasoned leaders who offer one-on-one guidance to mentees, especially those navigating tough circumstances. These mentors may check in regularly, offer additional support, and even visit mentees' schools when needed.

How It Works
Instructional Modality: Mentorship is delivered through a mix of in-person meetings (held alongside NDCEL conferences), Zoom check-ins, and ongoing communication via WhatsApp.

Meeting Frequency

  • Begins with a Kickoff Meeting in August

  • Continues throughout the school year with scheduled virtual and in-person sessions

  • Uses case studies and consultancy protocol to address real-time leadership challenges

  • Tentative agendas will be shared in advance, and participants can suggest additional topics

  • Optional small-group virtual check-ins will occur between large-group meetings

Cohort Size & Structure
The program is designed for up to 8 new administrators in their first three years or holding provisional licensure. Participants are grouped into:

  • A larger network based on their association

  • A small, tight-knit cohort with an assigned Instructional Mentor

This dual structure offers both broad connections and deep peer support.

Participant Expectations

  • Attend face-to-face meetings in conjunction with NDCEL events

  • Participate in small-group virtual check-ins with mentors and peers

  • Engage in reflective journaling, sharing insights and experiences to support growth and inform program development