The mentoring toolkit is designed as a resource guide for all school systems in New Jersey to support the implementation of the state regulations for mentoring and the Professional Standards for Teachers. The traditional and alternate route novice teachers in New Jersey are being assured that during their induction into the teaching profession they will participate in a rigorous one-year mentoring program. The resource guide will help the local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) develop and implement a mentoring plan that is aligned with the NJ Professional Standards for Teachers and complies with the current regulations for mentoring as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:9-8 and adopted by the State Board of Education in December 2003.

Throughout the resource guide, information pertaining to state regulations on mentoring is noted and highlighted in red. These are the minimum requirements of the state for a district-based mentoring program. To further extend the stakeholders’ knowledge base and the development of a mentoring program beyond the basics, key concepts are presented throughout the guide, highlighted in blue, and linked to appropriate folders. Established effectiveness mentor training models, such as Pathwise, New Teacher Center, or BEST, are described in Folder Four for further exploration.