During the 2019 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature designated the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as the administrator of a grant to support efforts for teacher mentorship and retention of effective teachers.

On November 8, PELSB posted the /pelsb/assets/Teacher%20Mentorship%20Grant%20RFP%20FY%2021_tcm1113-412150.pdfMinnesota Teacher Mentorship and Retention Grant application online. This grant is designed to help develop teacher mentorship programs for teachers new to the profession or district, including teaching residents, teachers of color, teachers who are American Indian, teachers in license shortage areas, teachers with special needs, or experienced teachers in need of peer coaching.

The grant application is open to:

• School districts;
• Groups of school districts; 
• Coalitions of districts, teachers, and teacher education institutions; or
  
• Coalitions of schools, teachers, or nonlicensed educators. 

PELSB will hold an informational meeting on November 22 about the Teacher Mentorship and Retention Grant to provide updates and answer questions about the application and grant selection process. The meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the PELSB Board Room, 1021 Bandana Blvd. E., Suite 222, St. Paul, MN 55108.

Districts, groups, and other coalitions interested in submitting a grant application for Teacher Mentorship and Retention Grant funds must submit an Intent to Apply to Saba Teshome by email at saba.teshome@state.mn.us before November 29, 2019.

Teacher Mentorship and Retention Grant applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on December 18, 2019. PELSB will award the grants in early 2020.

Please contact Saba Teshome by email at saba.teshome@state.mn.us with any questions.