As we near the close of another busy semester, the Fall season reminds us to pause and express gratitude for all educators across our North State communities who give so much of themselves to serve students, families, and one another. From our earliest learners in preschool through high school seniors preparing for what comes next, the dedication of teachers, mentors, and administrators sustains our small and rural schools.

Our gratitude extends to the new teachers. You bring fresh energy and ideas that strengthen our classrooms and our future. We also celebrate the mentors who walk beside them, offering guidance, encouragement, and wisdom. As the ASCD article “The Role of Mentorship in Teacher Retention” reminds us, meaningful mentorship not only supports teachers through the challenges of the early years, it fosters belonging, resilience, and a love for the profession.

Connection and collaboration are critical to the work of all educators. The Rural Schools Collaborative’s Teacher Resiliency Guide reminds us that we are part of a larger network of educators who share our challenges and our hope. This newsletter is filled with opportunities to grow and recharge, from practical classroom tools and mindfulness practices that nurture both teacher and student well-being. Professional growth and personal renewal go hand in hand. As educators, our learning never stops.

In our North State schools, the work you do today echoes across generations. Every time you mentor, encourage, or simply show up for your students and colleagues, you are shaping what comes next for our region. That’s what this year’s theme Shaping Tomorrow, Together is all about, believing that our collective effort as educators can, and will, make a lasting difference.

Cheers,

Jillian

Assignments Due!

All Candidate and Mentor assignments in the Google Classrooms are due December 12th.

Spring Semester Begins

Induction work will resume January 5th.

Our program offers the unique ability to provide dedicated coaching support to both mentors and candidates throughout their journey. We offer personalized semester check-ins with candidate/mentor pairs, immediate responsiveness to questions, and continuous access to professional development resources. Additionally, we foster peer collaboration through celebrations, observations, and community of practice sessions for candidates, while connecting mentors through monthly mentor cafés. This dual-support approach ensures both mentors and candidates receive the guidance they need to succeed.

The Role of Mentorship in Teacher Retention

This ASCD article explains how having the right mentor can make all the difference for new teachers by offering real support and helping you feel like you belong. It also reminds us that mentoring shouldn’t stop after the first year, teachers need strong connections and guidance as they grow.

Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium

Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium is a must-attend event for educators, administrators, advocates, and allies ready to embrace inclusive practices that empower all learners. Dive into expert panels, hands-on sessions, and community-driven strategies for building classrooms and careers where neurodivergence is valued, not just accommodated.

📅 Date:February 6, 2026 • 📍 Location: California State University, Chico

👉 Register Now

Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) Summer 2026 - Apply Now!

Join an immersive, hands-on professional learning program designed for California educators. FIT has been empowering teachers for over 30 years by providing 50 hours of field-based instruction in forest ecosystems, wildfire restoration, timber operations, and more. FIT welcomes all California educators. Past participants have included TK-12+ credentialed educators, nonformal educators, administrators, and education program leads.

👉 Apply here

Free Online Digital Literacy Skills for November, 2025

Open to all adults in the North State.

👉 Learn more & Register Here

California Educators Together

California Educators Together is a FREE community of practice designed to provide educators, administrators, specialists, and state programs a common space to communicate, share strategies, and access resources. The platform is brought to you by a collaboration between the California Department of Education and the CDE Foundation.

Corwin’s Teacher to Teacher Podcast Trust in Your Ideas — and Know Your Impact

Author Christina Nosek and educator Lisa reflect upon times in their careers where they realized they made a difference in the life of a student. They also discuss how to hang in through tough times, that your current teaching situation is not your forever teaching situation.

10 Ways to Manage Group Work in the Classroom

Explore these 10 practical strategies from Ditch That Textbook to turn group work from chaotic to constructive—covering everything from setting clear roles and expectations to debriefing and rotating groups. These actionable tips offer simple tweaks that support meaningful collaboration and keep students focused and engaged.

Help Students Manage Stress and Anxiety (Free Chill Skills Poster Set)

“Check out this free downloadable set of classroom-ready posters from We Are Teachers that make it simple for students to practice real-time stress-management tools like breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and movement breaks. These visual aids are ideal for creating a calm-down corner or weaving social-emotional support into your daily routine.”

News and Media Literacy for All

Join us for a six-part webinar series centered on news and media literacy skills. The series is brought to you by the California Department of Education, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Fresno County Office of Education, San Diego County Office of Education, Glenn County Office of Education, California School Library Association and the News Literacy Project. Each webinar is 45 minutes long and will include relevant NLP resources and highlighted content standards, guidance and frameworks from the California Department of Education.

North Star Center for Rural Schools Regional Webinar Series

Join us for a bi-monthly deep dive into Community Schools! Connect with educators, administrators, families, and community partners to explore key topics in community schools. Each session features expert insights, regional best practices, and opportunities to share resources and strategies. Open to anyone interested in supporting and strengthening community schools.

UFLI Foundations COP

Join our UFLI Foundations Community of Practice, where you'll collaborate with fellow educators to share strategies, insights, and resources to boost reading instruction. Whether you're new to UFLI or looking to deepen your practice, this community is here to support you. Let's work together to empower

our young readers!

APPRECIATION. Pass it on.

“Almost everyone can tell the story of a teacher who made a significant difference in their life. Someone who noticed our talents or gave us advice at a critical time. Our careers and a hundred other important choices can often be traced to a remarkable teacher.

Teachers are one of the most important contributors to society. They pass on knowledge, foster critical thinking skills, inspire students and parents and serve as role models. Teachers also unlock potential which can motivate us to pursue our dreams and leave the world a better place that we found it.”