In the pilot year (2012‒13), applications for participation were received from 20 school districts across BC. The three districts of Haida Gwaii, Kootenay Columbia, and Kamloops Thompson were chosen as they represent differing characteristics in size, urban/rural mix, and cultural geography. A framework for mentorship continues to evolve through different models in these three pilot districts, highlighting the very different dynamics and needs of their participating teachers. In its second year, the NTMP expanded to work with the school districts of Sooke, Sea to Sky, and Peace River North, strengthening existing mentorship activities and providing workshops throughout the year in building learning-focused and reciprocal mentoring relationships.

With two more years of committed funding from the Ministry of Education for 2014-2016, the NTMP will be offering direct consultation and support to five more rural school districts in Stikine, Vancouver Island West, Peace River South, Okanagan Shuswap, and Revelstoke.

As the scope of the NTMP widens, new sustainable models of mentorship will build regional strength and mentor leadership throughout the province. With guidance from the partnership of the BCTF, UBC, and the BCSSA, goals have been realigned to build greater systemic influence provincially.

Next steps for growth and development of the NTMP are to:

• continue developing sustainable models of mentorship with districts/locals
• build strong peer mentoring relationships that contribute to strengthening collaboration and innovation within teaching communities
• explore ways to use technology to better support new teachers in all areas of BC
• build a website representing mentorship skills and processes that reflect teachers working in the context of BC schools and make mentoring resources available across the province
• build a provincial network/community of mentorship leaders to expand the reach of the NTMP
• gather, analyze and disseminate research and evaluation data to inform development and implementation of province-wide induction policy and practice.

The New Teacher Mentoring Project (NTMP) is committed to building a mentoring culture within British Columbia schools that welcomes BC’s newest teachers into the profession, provides for continuity of teachers’ embedded professional learning, and reinvigorates teaching and learning communities.