CERRA believes that a strong system of mentoring is vital to support new teachers and improve teacher retention rates in South Carolina. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, you are in the right place.

The criteria for becoming a mentor in South Carolina can be found on pages 5-6 of the SC Induction and Mentoring Guidelines. Mentors must be continuing-contract educators who are effective practitioners, have the desire and dispositions to support the professional growth and transition of novice educators, and have the recommendation of their employing districts.

Each district has a process for selecting mentors, so contact your District's Mentoring and Induction Coordinator for more information. 
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​Below you will find descriptions of the various mentoring initiatives at CERRA. ​

Becoming a Mentor or Mentor Trainer

The two-day South Carolina Mentor Training focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings critical to those who work with beginning teachers. It is guided by the belief that learning to teach is a career-long developmental process that involves a continuous cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting. At the heart of this work is the mentor’s ability to respond to each new teacher’s individual developmental and contextual needs and to promote the ongoing examination of classroom practice.​ CERRA hosts statewide and regional training sessions on a regular basis for those interested in becoming a mentor. Individual schools districts may also host trainings throughout the school year. ​

Experienced mentors interested in becoming a trainer must attend the two-day Mentor Trainer Certification Training and have the approval of their district’s Mentoring and Induction coordinator. Trainers will receive access to an online hub that houses materials and resources needed to conduct a training in their district. CERRA hosts statewide Mentor Trainer Certification Training sessions on a regular basis. 

View Upcoming Mentor Trainings

View Upcoming Trainer Certification Trainings

​CERRA hosts statewide and regional Mentor Trainer Certification Training sessions on a regular basis. 

​FAQ's for educators interested in or currently serving as a mentor: