BEST Events & Trainings

BEST will continue to provide all events online until further notice. BEST’s online events are interactive learning opportunities, not webinars. We ask participants to engage using audio and encourage participants to use video when possible.

For easy access, all BEST events and offerings can be found on the 2025-26 BEST Events Handout.

BEST Mentor Learning and Development Pathways

What does it mean to be a BEST mentor? How can I become a highly trained mentor?

Please visit this document to learn about the learning and development pathways as a mentor.

How to use this document: Find your Mentee's role and look across the row to find your next recommended training. Mentors are encouraged to complete a Foundational Learning Experience every 5 years. Upon completion of the Foundational Learning Experience, Mentors are encouraged to select an ongoing learning experience and then attend an appropriate Extended Learning Experience.  

BEST considers a mentor to be highly trained when a mentor:

1. Has two or more years of experience mentoring

2. Has completed a Foundational Learning Experience in the past five years

3. Has completed at least one year of Ongoing Learning and the appropriate Extended Learning Experience in the past five years     

Mentor Foundational Opportunities

Mentor Foundational Opportunities are designed to build core knowledge of mentoring for equity. Mentor Academy 101 and 201 are 12-hour trainings. Nakia Academy can be taken in place of Mentor Academy 101 and 201 by participants who identify as people of color. Participation in Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy is the prerequisite for participation in any other BEST event.

Mentor On-going Opportunities (Roundtables)

Mentor On-going Opportunities are year-round opportunities for mentors to continue their learning in community with other mentors. After attending Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy, mentors can choose an on-going learning community to engage with others throughout the school year. These are opportunities for mentors and coaches to build knowledge, practice skills, collaborate with colleagues, and reflect on their work supporting educator growth and pursuing educational equity.

Mentor Extended Learning

Mentor Extended Learnings are focused trainings designed to build on learning from Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy. These learnings include: Using Instructional Frameworks in Observation and Feedback, Mentoring ESAs, and Mentoring Teachers of Special Education. Participants should attend Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy before registering for an Extended Learning.

Induction Leader Opportunities

Induction Leader Collaboration Sessions create space for induction leaders statewide to connect around timely topics related to Beginning Educator Support. Induction leaders are anyone with a stake in novice educator induction.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities, please email the BEST team or call at 360-725-6430, Telecommunication Relay Services 711 or 1-800-833-6384 within three business days of the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.