Iowa Industry to Classroom Academy CTE Teacher Mentoring Grant Program

2026-2027 Call for Applications

Iowa Industry to Classroom Academy – “Iowa I2C Academy”

New Teacher Mentoring Program

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) is excited to invite the first cohort of our Iowa Industry to Classroom Academy CTE Teacher Mentoring program for new and emerging career and technical education (CTE) teachers. The purpose of the pilot program is to create a reliable pipeline for new CTE teachers by pairing two years of CTE-specific mentoring with the required pedagogy coursework needed to progress from an initial CTE Authorization toward Iowa’s five-year Career and Technical Education Authorization. Mentees will be reimbursed for tuition and fees associated with obtaining the full CTE authorization. This initial pilot program will focus on FCS teachers and then expand to all CTE content areas after the first year of implementation.

What is the program?

This program aims to foster and support mentor/mentee relationships specifically for new and early-career teachers entering the field directly from industry, as they navigate the demands of teaching, scholarship, and service in the profession. Mentors will support and engage their mentees to move beyond simply surviving but thriving in career and technical education. This collaboration will provide enhanced career exploration and advising for high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers; the integration of work-based learning content; and support for and alignment with Career Technical Student Organizations.

The goal of this industry to classroom mentoring program is to focus on the recruiting and retaining new educators transitioning directly from industry—bringing specialized skills but lacking formal pedagogical training. This project provides resources designed to empower and support new CTE teachers by reducing professional isolation, and translating industry expertise into effective classroom instruction.

Mentors will provide mentees with individualized support regarding professional growth through the lens of organizational, curricular and professional understanding. Mentors gain personal fulfillment, fresh perspectives, and sharpened leadership skills by guiding mentees. Mentors can also expand their professional networks, test their own ideas through discussions, and experience the satisfaction of contributing to the success of new CTE teachers.

The mentoring collaboration is structured around four main pillars of success:

• Educator Retention - Creating supportive, empowering school networks to keep skilled teachers in the classroom.

• Instructional Excellence - Empowering students through real-world, experiential learning and strategic community partnerships

• Educator Well-Being - Establishing healthy work-life boundaries, nurturing professional efficacy and influence job satisfaction

• Continuous Reflective Practice - Enhancing self-awareness, bridging the gap between theory and practice, and refining professional skills to prevent burnout.

Mentoring Investment:

• Mentee coursework stipend reimbursement - $500 per year ($1,000 total over two years)

• Mentor stipend reimbursement - $2,000 per mentee per year ($4,000 total)

• Travel Reimbursements

  • Mileage

  • Meals

  • Lodging

  • Substitute Pay

Phase	Coursework built into the program	Mentoring and application
Pre-program Fall 2026	Transcript/licensure audit; ethics requirement verified	Recruitment, matching, orientation and individual completion plan
Year 1 2026–27	Human relations; CTE teaching methods; exceptional learners	Intensive induction, monthly mentoring, observation and feedback
Year 2 2027–28	Curriculum development; measurement and evaluation	Advanced practice, monthly mentoring and improvement capstone
Completion	All six pedagogy areas completed or formally verified	Mentoring requirements and capstone completed; authorization application supported

Completion of the required CTE pedagogy coursework:

• Methods of career and technical education

• Curriculum development

• Measurement and evaluation of programs and students

• Human relations for educators

• Exceptional learners

• Ethics training

Program of Work & Activities

• In-person mentoring retreat

• Maintain a monthly meeting schedule (e.g., one hour per month)

• Provide written feedback and reflections 

• Schedule classroom observation event

• Participate in monthly webinars 

• Submit improvement plan/capstone project

• Submission for a CTE Publication.

• Present at state or national conferences

How were mentors and mentees selected?

A small group was selected for the first pilot cycle (e.g., five mentors and five mentees) which runs for two fiscal years/academic years. Prospective mentors and mentees completed a pre-application. Members of the FCS Management Committee reviewed applications to select the mentors and mentees. Mentees’ districts apply for the funds via IowaGrants as fiscal agents to manage grant funds, claim reimbursements, etc.

Program Contact:

Jeanette Thomas

Education Program Consultant, Equity/Family and Consumer Sciences

Jeanette.thomas@iowa.gov | 515-745-2556