Spokane Public Schools believes in providing its employees layers of support to ensure they find success and feel supported along every step of their career journey.

The Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) is one way novice educators are supported through comprehensive induction. Our goal is to support and retain beginning educators to ensure an equitable, high-quality education for every student in our district.

The BEST program provides a high-quality system of support for beginning educators through intentionally designed mentor support and meaningful professional development. Beginning educators have opportunities to engage in coordinated and sustained formal and informal job-embedded learning that promotes professional growth, reflection, collaboration, and equitable learning opportunities for students, including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Standards for New Teacher Induction

• WATCH: Mentor/Mentee Interview  

Mentors are teachers just like you. These full-release or colleague mentors form learning-focused relationships with beginning educators to facilitate maximum teacher and student growth.

All teachers who have less than 180 days of contracted or substitute experience are eligible to participate in the BEST Program. Find more information about the BEST Program on the OSPI website.

As a new staff member, professional development choices can be overwhelming. That’s why we have launched SPS U, a program designed with you in mind. SPS U provides a roadmap for subjects to consider as part of your professional development plan. You'll have the opportunity to gain a badge in a specific content area or work by level, and to share your accomplishments via social media.