Due to efforts such as CS10K and CSforALL, the number of computer science teachers across the country is increasing. Many of these teachers are new to the discipline and need additional support beyond workshops that focus solely on particular curricula.
To address this need, we are developing, examining, and scaling a yearlong, equity-centered peer mentoring program. Scaling MENTORS in CS is a research practice partnership between the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), CSTA Wisconsin Dairyland, CSTA New Jersey, the CSTA Black Affinity Group, and WestEd. It expands on Matching Experienced and Novice Teachers for Ongoing Rigorous Support in Computer Science (MENTORS in CS), a research practice partnership to develop high school computer science (CS) teacher mentorship programs to provide ongoing, rigorous, and job-embedded support to new CS teachers.
Scaling MENTORS in CS pairs MENTORS, who are teachers with 5+ years of CS teaching experience, with mentees, who are new to teaching CS. They are strategically matched in 1:1 partnerships based on context and goals. Across 1 academic year, they meet twice monthly to identify and work toward three goals related to the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers. The program aims to increase teachers’ confidence, pedagogical content knowledge, and use of equitable and inclusive teaching practices.
WestEd serves as the research lead of the MENTORS in CS partnerships. Our research examines impacts of the program on mentors and mentees, the role of contextual factors on the implementation of the program, and how best to design program resources to support quality mentoring relationships.
