ACS-Hach Mentoring Program

The first few years of teaching can be challenging. Why not meet merely survive this time but thrive? The ACS-Hach Mentoring Program can help you do this with a comprehensive professional experience so that you have the tools and space to grow, build, and connect.

Grow

Advance your career with relevant, ongoing professional development and support.

Build

With assistance and support from ACS, New Teacher Center, and expert educators, build partnerships tailored to your specific needs and expectations.

Connect

Expand your professional network by connecting to a community of peers who share a passion for chemistry and interest in advancing chemistry education.

Benefits

As a mentee in the ACS-Hach Mentoring Program, you will receive the following benefits:

Ongoing professional and emotional support from highly qualified teacher mentors and chemists.
Ongoing professional development on content, pedagogy, and trends in chemical education.
Travel, lodging, and registration to the ACS national Spring meeting per year (see the Expectations below for the specific meeting dates, locations, and times).
Subscription to the Journal of Chemical Education (JCE).
Membership to the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT).
A national community of chemistry and science educators

Expectations

In order to ensure you reap the benefits of the program, we have established expectations for your participation. These expectations will support you in ways that will impact your growth as a new teacher.

You are expected to:

Hold a virtual check-in meeting with your assigned mentor at least (1) a month. Research on mentoring best practices and real feedback from past mentees have reported frequent communication with mentors improved the mentorship experience. ACS will be providing a platform that will make it easier to schedule, track, and hold your meetings.
Complete the ACS-Hach Mentoring Agreement with your mentor. This agreement will help you define the parameters of your mentoring relationship in a way that best meets your needs.
Set and monitor professional goal(s) with your mentor. You can use the same goal(s) for your school and/or district. By setting your goals with your mentor, they will be able to further support you in reaching them.
Post at least once (1) a month in the a ACS-Hach Mentoring Group. There are several groups in which to participate. These groups give you the opportunity to get to know other mentors and mentees, read discussion threads, post your questions and ideas, and exchange resources.
Attend the Saturday ACS-Hach Mentoring Program Retreat and ACS Spring 2025 Meeting. The ACS Spring Meeting will provide you with the opportunity to meet in-person your mentor and other program participants, to attend ACS Chemistry Teacher Day for the latest on chemistry education pedagogy and practices, to receive free stuff, as well as network with other chemistry teachers and professionals. You are required to attend Saturday and Sunday programming. Monday programming is optional. All travel expenses related to attending the conference, including substitute teacher pay, will be covered by ACS.
- ACS-Hach Mentoring Program Retreat
  March 22, 2025
  San Diego, CA
- ACS Spring Meeting & Expo
  March 23 – 24, 2025
  San Diego, CA

Questions?

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