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

Title Date and Time Register
Mentor Academy 101
Oct 15 2024 | 8am - 3pm
Oct 17 2024 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

Mentor Academy 101
Jan 11 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Jan 25 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

Mentor Academy 101
Jan 14 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Jan 16 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 101
May 1 2025 | 4 - 7pm
May 8 2025 | 4 - 7pm
May 15 2025 | 4 - 7pm
May 22 2025 | 4 - 7pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 101
May 20 2025 | 8am - 3pm
May 22 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 101
Jun 16 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Jun 18 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 101
Jun 23 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Jun 25 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

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

Title Date and Time Register
BEST Mentor Academy 201

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 201
Jan 9 2025 | 4 - 7pm
Jan 16 2025 | 4 - 7pm
Jan 23 2025 | 4 - 7pm
Jan 30 2025 | 4 - 7pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 201
Feb 1 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Feb 8 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 201
Mar 6 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Mar 7 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Talbott Event Center

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 201
May 19 2025 | 8am - 3pm
May 21 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

BEST Mentor Academy 201
Jun 24 2025 | 8am - 3pm
Jun 26 2025 | 8am - 3pm


Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Register now for this online event!

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.