When supporting early-service CTE instructors, having access to high-quality, relevant resources can make a meaningful difference. Websites such as ACTE’s CTE Learn and Advance CTE offer CTE-specific professional learning, webinars, and practical tools that help new teachers strengthen instruction, navigate systems, and build confidence over time. Resources from the National Mentoring Resource Center and the New Teacher Center provide research-based frameworks for mentoring, coaching, and relationship-building—useful for anyone designing or refining support structures for new educators. Platforms like Teaching Channel and Edutopia offer accessible videos, articles, and peer-shared strategies that can spark reflection, normalize challenges, and encourage professional growth. Together, these sites can be used to guide conversations, inform mentoring practices, and provide just-in-time support as CTE instructors move from surviving their first years to thriving in their professional roles.
CTE-Focused Professional Development & Support
- ACTE CTE Learn — Virtual PD and free CTE resources
A professional development platform created by the Association for Career and Technical Education specifically for CTE professionals — featuring self-paced courses, free resources, and structured learning.
https://www.ctelearn.org
- Advance CTE – Professional Development
Advance CTE offers year-round webinars, workshops, and learning communities on high-quality CTE implementation — useful for both instructional and administrative supports.
https://careertech.org/what-we-do/professional-development/
- CTE Resource Center
Supports CTE program implementation and provides materials related to curriculum design and Perkins V — helpful background context and ongoing resources.
https://www.cteresource.org
Mentoring & Instructional Support
- National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) — Mentoring guides and tools
Provides research-based manuals and frameworks for building and strengthening mentoring programs — applicable to CTE teacher induction, peer mentoring, and structured support design.
https://nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/resources-for-mentoring-programs/
- New Teacher Center – Mentoring/Instructional Coaching Practices
Research-based recommendations and practices for building high-quality mentoring and coaching — great for district or school leaders designing support structures.
https://newteachercenter.org/resources/high-quality-mentoring-and-instructional-coaching-practices/
- Collaborative Education Advisors — CTE Induction & Mentoring
Offers customizable CTE-specific mentoring and professional development services (note: this is an example of a provider rather than free resources).
https://www.collaborativeeducationadvisors.com/cte-teacher-induction--mentoring.html
Broader Teaching Support Networks
- Teaching Channel — Videos + educator community
A large library of teaching strategy videos and a collaborative educator community where teachers share ideas and insights — helpful for connection and reflective practice.
https://www.teachingchannel.com
- Edutopia – Mentoring Support Resources
Curated articles and strategies about mentoring, peer coaching, and building supportive learning environments, useful for those supporting early-career teachers.
https://www.edutopia.org/mentor-teachers-resources
- OER Commons & WikiEducator – Open Resource Libraries
Free repositories of instructional resources and collaborative materials that teachers can adapt — good for sharing practical tools across disciplines.
https://www.oercommons.org
https://wikieducator.org
Bonus: Resources on Mentoring & Support Best Practices
While not CTE-specific, these articles and guides can help frame discussions about why mentoring matters and how to make it effective:
- Mentoring best practices & strategies for teacher success — general support and relationship-building guidance. Learn Wise Daily
Instructional coaching frameworks — tips on coaching cycles and feedback that support professional growth. ncsi.wested.org
