Job Description
Position Objective
The LAUNCH Program supports Bellevue School District’s commitment to retaining and developing high-quality educators through structured mentoring, coaching, and professional learning. LAUNCH is designed to support novice educators in their first years of practice by building instructional skill, strengthening professional identity, and fostering a sense of belonging within the Bellevue professional community.
Peer Mentors play a critical role in this work by providing confidential, non-evaluative coaching that helps novice educators reflect on practice, navigate the complexities of teaching, and accelerate professional growth. Mentors support new educators in developing instructional expertise, understanding district systems and expectations, and building sustainable practices that promote long-term success in the profession.
This position requires additional time outside an educator’s regular assignment. The success of the position is based upon the current professional practice of the peer mentor. All assigned peer mentors will receive a stipend.
Commitment To Equity
The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)
• Build and maintain a trusting mentoring relationship with assigned novice educator(s).
• Provide confidential, non-evaluative instructional coaching that promotes reflection, professional growth, and improved student learning.
• Support novice educators in developing instructional practices aligned with district expectations and research-based pedagogy.
• Support novice educators in adjusting to Bellevue School District’s professional norms, systems, and contractual responsibilities.
• Guide novice educators in goal setting, reflection, and professional growth planning.
• Maintain confidentiality in all coaching conversations, except in cases where disclosure is required by law or district policy (e.g., concerns related to student safety, abuse, neglect, or imminent harm).
• Meet with novice educator(s) at least one (1) time per week, adjusting frequency based on educator needs and program expectations.
• Provide opportunities for novice educators to observe effective instructional practice by inviting them to observe the mentor’s classroom at least once per quarter.
• Conduct classroom observations of the novice educator and provide ongoing non-evaluative written feedback at least once per month.
• Model reflective practice and support novice educators in analyzing instructional decisions and student outcomes.
• Share instructional strategies, resources, and professional tools to support effective teaching and classroom management.
• Participate in program learning opportunities, including monthly mentor sessions with the Program Coordinator.
• Complete one (1) BEST Foundational Opportunity (Mentor Academy 101 or Nakia Academy).
• Maintain documentation of mentoring interactions as required by the program.
• Collaborate with program leadership to support continuous improvement of the LAUNCH mentoring program.
• Other duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationships
• Reports directly to and is supervised by Instructional Mentor Program Coordinator.
Required
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
• Willing to or has completed one of the BEST Foundational Opportunities: 101 Mentoring Academy or Nakia Academy
• Have at least three years of demonstrated successful teaching experience and at least one year of teacher leadership experience.
• Demonstrated effective instructional leadership.
• Demonstrated effective organizational skills.
• Experience of effective relationships with students, parents, and certificated and classified personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates honesty, empathy, integrity, and a human-centered approach in working with others.
• Evaluations of employment that support the qualities of the candidate.
Preferred
• Demonstrated ability to support adult learning through coaching, facilitation, and reflective dialogue.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting novice educators and fostering professional growth.
• Training and/or experience working with students with a variety of educational abilities, backgrounds, skills and cultures; including special needs, multiple language learners, and/or special education, and/or “at-risk”.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions In This Class Typically Require)
• Possess a valid Washington state teaching certificate or ESA certificate.
KNOWLEDGE: (position requirements at entry):
• Principles of adult learning and coaching practices
• Reflective practice and professional growth cycles
• Instructional coaching models
• Strategies for supporting early-career educators, and their unique needs
• Current experience, knowledge, and commitment to the needs of children; young adults and/or maturing adolescents
• Quality instruction for students, such as research-based pedagogy and classroom learning environment
• The Danielson Framework for Teaching
SKILLS: (position requirements at entry):
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and uphold the non-evaluative nature of mentoring.
• Ability to balance mentoring responsibilities with regular teaching duties.
• Coaching and facilitation skills to support reflective professional dialogue
• Ability to ask probing questions that promote critical thinking and professional growth
• Ability to provide constructive feedback that strengthens instructional practice
• Ability to build trust and psychological safety with novice educators
• Ability to work cooperatively to provide professional and instructional support
• Recognize quality instruction and support others in attaining the same
• Take initiative to solve problems, propose, implement, and assess solutions
• Communicate skillfully, both verbally and in writing
• Provides positive, collaborative leadership to staff, students and the community.
• Builds and maintains a culture that fosters collaborative relationships with students, staff and the community.
• Models exemplary professionalism.
• Expresses and communicates ideas clearly for different audiences in oral presentation and in written communication.
• Ability to seek relevant and current data, analyze and research complex information.
• Ability to reach logical conclusions, make high quality decisions, and set priorities.
• Experience responding to and engaging in a diverse multi-cultural and multi-racial community.
• Experience involving others in solving problems and guiding them to accomplishment and manage conflict in a positive and professional manner.
• Experience as a strong facilitator and skilled at group process; positive attitude, sense of collegiality.
• Experience in leading discussions and facilitating meetings.
• The most competitive candidates are able to speak a language other than English fluently.
• Other criteria may be established by the selection committee.
Physical Requirements
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
May work outdoors in inclement weather. May require physical mobility to move through a school campus, including up and down stairs and inside and outside.
Conditions Of Employment
Selected mentors will receive a total stipend of $1,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, payable in accordance with district payroll procedures for supplemental contracts. This is a one-year supplemental contract. It is not subject to the continuing contract statute, and non-renewal at the end of the 2026-2027 term does not constitute an adverse change in contract status. Continuous eligibility for the stipend is contingent upon the mentor’s current professional practice, adherence to program protocols, and active participation in required professional learning or training sessions associated with the LAUNCH Program.
Note
The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.
Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed. The successful candidate for this position must be fingerprinted. Employment is contingent upon clearance by Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation
Required Attachments
• A statement of interest outlining your educator leadership goals and reasons for pursuing the peer mentor role.
• An updated resume attached to the application.
• Two letters of recommendation, including one from a current supervisor.
Bellevue School District Does Not Discriminate In Any Programs Or Activities On The Basis Of Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Creed, Religion, Color, National Origin, Age, Honorably Discharged Veteran Or Military Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Homelessness, Immigration Or Citizenship Status, The Presence Of Any Sensory, Mental, Or Physical Disability, Neurodivergence, Or The Use Of a Trained Dog Guide Or Service Animal And Provides Equal Access To The Boy Scouts Of America And Other Designated Youth Groups. The Following Employees Have Been Designated To Handle Questions And Complaints Of Alleged Discrimination
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination: Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org.
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org.
Disability Discrimination
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Kerince Bowen, (425) 456-4168 or bowenk@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Members of the public with disabilities who have specific concerns about the effectiveness of the District’s communications to them should contact Janine Thorn, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, at 425-456-4000 or thornj@bsd405.org.