To support Relay students and their programs, each state and licensure pathway may have specific mentor requirements. Below is a summary of expectations for mentors, organized by student pathway and state.

 

State-by-State Requirements

Colorado

• Residency first year and Non-Resident first year: Must comply with Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Center for Rural Education guidelines, including 3 years of experience, effectiveness ratings, and specific subject-area support.

• Residency second year: No Relay mentor requirement; state rules apply.

• Non-Resident second year and Advanced Certificate: No mentor required.

Connecticut

• Residency and Non-Residents: Mentors must be experienced and in the same content area or grade band; no specific state qualifications.

Delaware

• All programs except Advanced Certificate: Mentor must meet Delaware Department of Education requirements, including teaching in a high-need school and sharing licensure/content area.

Georgia

• Residency first year: Mentor must be certified and meet experience/effectiveness standards.

• Residency second year and Non-Resident: State standards apply, no additional Relay requirements.

Illinois

• All pathways except Advanced Certificate: Must follow Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards for mentoring, including formal mentor assignments and evaluations.

New Jersey

• Residency: Mentorship is embedded in program design and monitored by a Director of Clinical Practice.

• Non-Resident: State requires an assigned mentor who provides weekly support and is trained per NJDOE rules.

New York

• Residency first year and Non-Resident first year: Mentor must be experienced in the content/grade area; support should be weekly.

• Residency second year and Non-Resident second year: Mentor support required for candidates on transitional B certification.

Pennsylvania

• Residency first year and Non-Resident first year: Relay faculty observe and support candidates; formal mentor assignment not required unless specified by LEA.

• Year 2 & Advanced Certificate: No mentor required unless otherwise arranged.

Tennessee

• Mentor teacher should be certified, experienced, and ideally in the same content area. Support is coordinated with LEAs.

Texas

• All pathways except Advanced Certificate: TEA mandates mentor teachers with 3+ years of experience, same certification area, and training. Mentors must provide 1.5 hours of weekly support and participate in documentation and evaluation.

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Notes

• Mentor definitions vary by state, and districts or partner schools may set higher standards than Relay.

• Candidates should confirm expectations with their program lead or residency director to ensure compliance.

• Relay does not require mentors for Advanced Certificate programs unless state rules apply.