Mentor Foundational Opportunities
Contact Information
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 Mentor Academy 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.
Note: We’re unable to provide make-up sessions. Please enroll only if you’re able to participate in the full event. Please also note that BEST’s Mentor Training Opportunities ask participants to engage in some vulnerable conversations. Consider choosing a zooming location/environment where you will be able to engage comfortably.
Mentor Academy 101
Mentor Academy 101 exists to prepare educators as leaders to serve in mentoring and coaching roles. Mentor Academy is grounded in the pursuit of equitable outcomes for students in Washington state. Academy content invites participants to examine themselves (their identity and experience), their approach to building relationships with mentees, and the systems change advocacy essential to mentoring for equity. Academy content is grounded in the WA State Standards for Mentoring. These standards are centered in educational equity: the heart of mentoring. Academy content is supported by Elena Aguilar’s Coaching for Equity; all pre-registered participants will receive a copy of Coaching for Equity. This event qualifies for 12 clock hours, 2 of which can be claimed as equity hours.
Topics include: Understanding identity, relationship building, confidentiality, conversation skills, mentor roles, observation and feedback.
- Mentor Academy 101 Future Training
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Title Date and Time Register BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 BEST Mentor Academy 101 Mentor Academy 101 SPOKANE BEST Mentor Academy 101 May 8 2025 | 4 - 7pmMay 15 2025 | 4 - 7pmMay 22 2025 | 4 - 7pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.BEST Mentor Academy 101 May 20 2025 | 8am - 3pmMay 22 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.BEST Mentor Academy 101 Jun 16 2025 | 8am - 3pmJun 18 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.BEST Mentor Academy 101 Jun 23 2025 | 8am - 3pmJun 25 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.
Mentor Academy 201
Mentor Academy 201 extends mentor learning from Mentor Academy 101 to build capacity to engage in conversations around racial equity, deepen awareness of equitable classroom practices, and refine mentoring skills. 201 content invites participants to examine themselves (their identity and implicit biases), their strategies for talking about race, and their roles as antiracist mentors, pursuing educational equity for all students in Washington state. Academy content is grounded in the WA State Standards for Mentoring. These standards are centered in educational equity: the heart of mentoring. Participants who attend this event can earn up to 12 equity clock hours.
Topics include: Understanding implicit bias, asset-based thinking, building learning partnerships.
- Mentor Academy 201 Future Training
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Title Date and Time Register IN-PERSON BEST Mentor Academy 201 BEST Mentor Academy 201 May 19 2025 | 8am - 3pmMay 21 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.BEST Mentor Academy 201 Jun 24 2025 | 8am - 3pmJun 26 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Zoom link will be provided after registration.
NAKIA Academy
NAKIA Academy is a mentoring and leadership academy by people of color and open to people of color. The training covers Mentor Academy 101 and Mentor Academy 201 content that is specific for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) educators and can be taken in place of Mentor Academy 101 and Mentor Academy 201. The purpose of NAKIA Academy, named for a fictional unsung hero and a humanitarian whose philosophy includes lifting others up, is a community that is in continuous growth and support. Educators (teachers and ESAs) in NAKIA Academy come together to lead, organize and create equitable spaces in education. The academy brings educators together in four cohort groups over a four-month period focused on thinking, learning, interacting, skill-building, and fun. Participants who attend this event can earn up to 24 equity clock hours. BEST remains in partnership with WEA for three cohorts of NAKIA Academy and is excited to announce a new partnership with Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA) to offer a specialized learning community within NAKIA Academy for School Counselors.
NAKIA Academy typically runs October through February. Applications open around August every year.
NAKIA Academy is no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
If you'd like to learn more about NAKIA Academy, contact the BEST team.
Topics include: Understanding identity, relationship building, confidentiality, conversation skills, mentor roles, connection and healing, imposter syndrome.