2024-25 Mentoring and Induction Program 
Participant Expectations

SAI’s beginning administrator mentoring and induction program is created to promote excellence in school leadership, improve classroom instruction, enhance student achievement, build a supportive environment within school districts, increase the retention of promising school leaders, and promote the personal and professional well-being of administrators. 

Each district is required by law to provide beginning principals and persons new to the superintendency with a mentoring and induction program. Districts can meet legislated requirements by using SAI’s program. It is optional for beginning assistant/associate principals or deans. 

Mentee Expectations (Beginning administrator participation is important and expected.) 

• Attend statewide meetings with your mentor (schedule below).
• Initiate communication with your mentor regarding questions or issues as they arise. 
• Participate in weekly conversations with your mentor. 
• Meet face-to-face monthly with your mentor.  
• Host mentor at your school at least once during the course of the year.  
• Visit your mentor’s school at least once during the course of the year.  
• Provide feedback after statewide meetings and upon the completion of the program to assist with program evaluation.
• Inform SAI if the relationship with your mentor is not meeting your needs or these expectations.  
• Fully participate in the program throughout the 2024-25 school year (this is a one-year commitment as required by Iowa law for principals and superintendents only). 

Mentor Expectations 

• Attend a mentor training session and/or view mentor orientation and training webinar.  
• Attend statewide meetings with your mentee (schedule below). 
• Initiate contact with your mentee at least once a week. 
• Schedule and facilitate monthly face-to-face visits with your mentee.  
• Utilize online resources provided in monthly editions of Mentoring Matters. 
• Complete monthly data collection tool. 
• Visit your mentee’s school at least once during the course of the year.  
• Host mentee at your school at least once during the course of the year.  
• Provide feedback after statewide meetings and upon the completion of the program to assist with program evaluation.
• Inform SAI if the relationship with your mentee is not meeting expectations.  
• Keep the interactions between you and your mentee confidential.*  
• Support your mentee throughout the 2024-25 school year (this is a one-year commitment). 

* The appropriate role for a mentor is to provide a safe, supportive learning experience for the mentee. In particular, the mentor should not engage in conversations with a mentee’s supervisor regarding issues related to the mentee’s performance or abilities unless the mentor is concerned about illegal, unethical or immoral behavior.