Welcome to UA K-12 Outreach

Mission

Give new teachers the support they need to succeed.
The Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP) exists to lift up and support the profession of teaching in Alaska. The project provides individualized support to first- and second-year teachers, developing an effective teaching force that is responsive to the various academic needs and cultural backgrounds of all students.

Vision

Every student in Alaska has the benefit of a great teacher.
Great teachers help our children to learn, grow, and thrive. They make learning exciting and tap into the knowledge, skills, and resources of local communities to help students achieve both personal and academic success.

 

Mentor Google Classroom
Mentor inquiry
Mentor request

Program overview

The Alaska Statewide Mentor Project, part of the University of Alaska’s K-12 Outreach program, supports first- and second-year teachers in all 54 Alaska school districts. ASMP's highly trained mentors provide individualized, culturally responsive guidance that strengthens teaching, improves retention, and enhances student learning.

A teacher poses with their arm around the shoulder of an ASMP mentor in a classroom
Mentoring model
ASMP utilizes a research-based mentoring model from the New Teacher Center to support first- and second-year teachers across Alaska. By pairing early-career educators with experienced mentors, ASMP fosters reflective teaching practices responsive to various cultural backgrounds. 
A teacher standing in a classroom
Supporting Alaska teachers
ASMP has been supporting early-career teachers in all of Alaska’s 54 school districts since its inception in 2003. ASMP provides first- and second-year teachers with mentors who are experienced Alaskan teachers highly trained to deliver personalized support.
ASMP mentor group photo with four teachers in a school
Research

Our research-based outcomes show that mentored teachers not only stay in the profession longer than other teachers, but also they achieve greater professional efficacy over the course of their careers, with greater gains in student achievement.

An ASMP mentor group photo with three teachers in an elementary classroom
Becoming a mentor
All mentors in ASMP receive mentor professional development by attending the Professional Learning Series developed by the New Teacher Center. This series is held in Alaska four times a year, followed by a second year of the Quality Instructional Mentoring series designed specifically by mentors for Alaska schools.
ASMP mentor group photo with several teaches in front of a colorful tile mural wall
Becoming a partner district
Partnering with ASMP provides districts with research-based support that strengthens teacher retention, instructional quality, and student achievement. Mentors guide teachers in applying Alaska’s cultural, content, and teaching standards to create culturally relevant instruction. Districts also benefit from cost-sharing opportunities through federal programs like the VINE and STARR grants.

 

Find a mentor

Click a marker on the map to see our partner districts.