Peer Mentoring for Education Support Professionals: 2026 Blended Learning Cohort

Applications are currently being accepted!
Application closes: May 12, 2026

Through online and in-person, group and individual learning opportunities, state and local association teams will come together to learn with others, share resources, build knowledge, and support one another as they build and develop their own unique education support professional (ESP) peer mentoring program.

ESP peer mentoring programs empower ESPs in the workplace and the association, provide specialized, targeted professional preparation and support, build ESP leader activists, and create the education systems that all our students and members deserve.

Are you ready to collaborate and learn with others with the common goal of ESP professional excellence? If so, click this link to apply.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

The National Education Association is happy to announce that we are accepting applications March 24 through May 12, 2026 from NEA local and state association teams for the Peer Mentoring ESPs: 2026 NEA Blended Learning Cohort.

COHORT SELECTION
Selected teams will be notified in mid-June 2026.

ONLINE LEARNING
Participating teams must complete the online learning. See details below.

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Participating teams that have completed the online learning will be invited to the in-person workshop in Washington, D.C., on October 24-25, 2026. Teams will convene to finalize their plans for their ESP peer mentoring pilot programs. See details below.

1) Cohort Application: Open Until May 12, 2026

Form your team

Teams must include

• State association staff person.
• ESP association members, leaders, and committee members.

Teams can also include school district/university representatives, and community partners.

All team members eligible to be NEA members must be NEA members.

We encourage partners and potential partners, such as school district/university representatives, to join the team.

Teams should consist of individuals who can offer the unique knowledge, skills, experiences, or resources needed to develop and establish an ESP peer mentoring program. They should be positioned to advance the project and sustain the program's goals once launched. We encourage careful, intentional consideration when building your team. Attention should be given to establishing a team that reflects diversity in ethnicity, gender, age, career, roles, responsibilities, and viewpoints. Please be intentional about including those typically underrepresented.

Teams should have 3-5 members: No fewer than three and no more than 5.

NEA will fully fund four team members to attend the in-person workshop. An additional team member may attend the in-person workshop but will not be funded by NEA.

Apply as a team

The state association staff person should apply on behalf of your team, with just one submission per team.

Apply now

We are seeking strong team applications, as we support the development of ESP peer mentoring programs that promote a quality education profession.

Space is limited for the blended learning cohort.

Applications should be completed thoughtfully, providing detailed and comprehensive answers to all questions. As we continue to gather key insights into creating and sustaining ESP peer mentoring programs, we are also seeking new models and examples at the local and state levels.

Consider the following when completing your application.

• Goals and objectives.
  • Are your current goals clear, well-defined, and manageable?
• Partnerships and relationships with potential or current program sponsors.
  • What are your plans for shared responsibility with other stakeholders? How will your program be sustained?
• Team composition. Please see the guidance above under “form your team.”
  • Is the team committed, flexible, effective, and represents your primary decision-makers?

2) Online Learning: June 24 - September 4, 2026

Participating teams must complete the ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring Learning Path, submit four team assignments, attend four virtual meetings, and submit a program checklist.  See the schedule below.

The learning path is available at nea.org/espmentoringcourse.

Due: July 9

Each team member completes course 1 of 4.

• The approximate individual completion time is 2.5 hours.
• Course 1 learning objectives:
  • Express your WHY
  • Define mentoring
  • Understand the benefits of mentoring
  • Identify your best potential partners
  • Seek out institutional support
  • Develop an advisory committee

Each team completes the course 1 team assignment together.

• The approximate team completion time is 1 hour.
• The assignment is downloadable at the end of course 1.

Teams attend the 1-hour virtual meeting (July 9, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET).

Due: July 23

Each team member completes course 2 of 4.

• The approximate individual completion time is 2.5 hours.
• Course 2 learning objectives:
  • Establish a mentoring structure and schedule
  • Develop a system of matching mentor to mentee(s)
  • Decide on mentor qualifications and mentee expectations

Each team completes the course 2 team assignments together.

• The approximate team completion time is 1 hour.
• The assignment is downloadable at the end of course 2.

Teams attend the 1-hour virtual meeting (July 23, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.)

Due: August 6

Each team member completes course 3 of 4.

• The approximate individual completion time is 2.5 hours.
• Course 3 learning objectives:
  • Recognize, support, and compensate mentors
  • Determine how participants will enter and exit your program
  • Support participants at every phase of your program
  • Administratively support your program

Each team completes the course 3 team assignments together.

• The approximate team completion time is 1 hour.
• The assignment is downloadable at the end of course 3.

Teams attend the 1-hour virtual meeting (August 6, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET).

Due: August 20

Each team member completes course 4 of 4.

• The approximate individual completion time is 2.5 hours.
• Course 4 learning objectives:
  • Evaluate your program for overall effectiveness
  • Onboard your participants and launch your program
  • Fund your program
  • Pilot your program

Each team completes the course 4 team assignments together.

• The approximate team completion time is 1 hour.
• The assignment is downloadable at the end of course 4.

Teams attend the 1-hour virtual meeting (August 20, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET).

Due: September 4, 5:00 p.m. ET

Finally, each team must complete and submit the ESP Mentoring Program Checklist. The program checklist will be distributed by email to selected teams.

3) In-Person Workshop: October 24-25, Washington D.C.

Teams must successfully complete the online learning to attend the in-person workshop.

NEA will fully fund four team members to attend the in-person workshop. An additional team member may attend the in-person workshop but will not be funded by NEA.

Attendees will check in on Friday, October 23, and out on Sunday, October 25.

The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, and end by 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25.

The following workshop meals will be provided for all participants (regardless of funding):

• Saturday: Breakfast and Lunch
• Sunday: Breakfast

Teams who successfully complete the 2026 NEA Blended Learning Cohort can apply for an NEA Professional Excellence Grant.

Further workshop details will be shared with selected teams.

Apply now through May 12

Questions? Contact [email protected]