CTO Mentor Application

CTO Mentor Program Application - 2025

Application Deadline - September 2, 2024
Read and follow the instructions carefully prior to submitting your application. All applicants will hear back from the Steering Committee with news about their status in mid-October.

All program information is available on the CITE website, including program dates, cost, and location. We recommend reading the CTOM Applicant page before starting your application. Please note that in-person classes will be held in Sunnyvale, CA; classes will be held virtually in June and July.

Instructions:
- Please fill out the following information completely.
- All answers that ask you to "Please Describe" require an answer of approximately 150-300+ words.
- A current resume and writing sample are required.
- This application is used by the review committee to evaluate your written communication. Please use professional writing in your longer responses as they are a critical piece of the application. Please use complete sentences and review your responses for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- You can complete your application in multiple sessions; however, it is recommended that you save your responses offline as a backup.
Reminder about Nomination:
- In order to be considered for the program, you must receive a nomination from a higher up in your district. We highly recommend getting a nomination from your Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.
- Nominators can submit their nominations using this form.
- Nominations are due by the application deadline: September 2, 2024
I. Personal Data

Tell us about yourself
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Organization*
Job Title*
Mobile No*
Email *
This is the email where we will send all communications.
Demographic Information

Information regarding gender, race, and educational background are optional. This information will be removed from your application when being reviewed and will NOT be used to decide who will be selected for the program. Answering these questions helps CITE address diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals.
Gender

MaleFemaleNon-BinaryDecline to sayOther
Race

American Indian or Alaska NativeAsianBlack or African AmericanHispanicNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderWhiteTwo or More RacesDecline to say
Please select your highest level of education

High SchoolSome CollegeBachelor'sMaster'sDoctorateMultiple DoctorateDecline to say
II. Current Organization
How would you classify your district's size?*

Small (<2,500 ADA)Medium (2,500 - 14,999 ADA)Large (>15,000 ADA)
What is your current technology role in your organization?*

I lead the entire technology department.I manage a section of the technology departmentI am a member of the technology departmentI lead technology for a single siteOther
ORGANIZATION SUPPORT: This program requires a significant investment of non-work time and collaboration with district leadership to complete assignments. In what ways does your organization support your participation in this program?*
What is your nominator's name and title?*
Does your nominator understand that they must fill out the nomination form by September 2, 2024 in order for you to be considered for this program?*

YesNo (but I will tell them right now)
III. Professional Background
How much experience do you have in the field of education?*

Greater than 10 yearsBetween 5-10 yearsFewer than 5 years
OTHER CERTIFICATIONS: What other certifications have you acquired, if any?
FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE: Do you have experience in the following? (Check all that apply)*

Developing a department budgetCreating and delivering financial reportsOverseeing purchasing processesManaging an RFP process
BOARD PRESENTATIONS: Have you presented to a board of education?*

Multiple timesOnceNever
OTHER PRESENTATIONS: Have you done a formal presentation in front of a live audience external to your organization? (conference, training, etc.)*

Multiple timesOnceNever
CITE COMMUNITY: Describe how you have participated in CITE activities such as conference, regional group participation, and more.*
OTHER: What education/tech activities/PD/programs have you completed in the last five years? What was the duration or length of these events? *
IV. Leadership Experience
K-12 EDUCATION BACKGROUND: Describe your demonstrated increased responsibilities in K-12 education, including total number of years in the field.*
TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND: Describe demonstrated increased responsibilities in technology, including total number of years in the field.*
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Describe your experience serving as a project manager.*
SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE: Describe your experience managing staff, including the number of direct reports you have currently or have had in the past.*
OTHER LEADERSHIP: Describe your leadership in other roles (within or outside technology).*
COLLABORATION: Describe an on-the-job example of your ability to collaborate with disparate groups of people.*
EVIDENCE-BASED DECISION-MAKING: Describe an instance where you used evidence-based decision-making while on the job.*
V. Goals for the CTO Mentor Program
PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Why are you interested in attaining CTO certification through this program? What career goals do you have in the next 2-5 years that this program would help you accomplish?*
CONCURRENT CHALLENGES: Each accepted candidate is expected to attend every course and meeting listed in the schedule (12 hours/month) and complete a significant number of assignments (totaling 16+ hours/month). The level of commitment is equivalent to a master's degree program. What potential challenges may compete with this program? How would you plan to accommodate these challenges with the program requirements? Examples may include LEA activities, job assignments, extracurricular leadership duties, etc. Please describe.*
Can you confirm your organization would support you attending all classes, even if it meant leaving work early on Fridays to travel (classes on Fridays are from 4-8pm)?*

YesNo
MENTOR MATCH: If selected, we will match you with a mentor to support you throughout the program. While we cannot guarantee a mentor with a specific background, we would like to know if you have any preferences. To help us match you, please describe past mentor relationships that have worked well for you. This might be preferred personality trait, communication style, gender, LEA size, etc. *
MENTOR COMMUNICATION: How would you build a strong communication practice with your mentor?*
OTHER PROGRAMS: Are you currently enrolled or considering another education or certification program that will run concurrent to the CTO Mentor Program?*

YesNoMaybe
If yes, please describe the other program and its time commitment.
PAST PARTICIPATION: Have you previously participated in the CTO Mentor Program but had to withdraw due to circumstances outside of your control? If yes, please explain how your circumstances have changed to allow for success.
VI. Documents
RESUME: Please provide a public link to your resume (PDF format). Important: This link must be accessible to all application reviewers; if permission has to be requested or the file is not available, this will delay or prevent your application from being considered.*
WRITING SAMPLE: Please provide a link to a current sample of your best professional writing (recommended length 1-3 pages). This can be a memo, board item, executive summary or similar and must be your own work. Important: This link must be accessible to all application reviewers; if permission has to be requested or the file is not available, this will delay or prevent your application from being considered.*
(Optional) Please provide other online information about yourself, such as LinkedIn or a personal website.
VIII. Confirmation
I understand that if I am chosen as a candidate in the CTO Mentor Program, the tuition of $4500 and my travel and lodging expenses are my responsibility.

Further, I understand that in order to be considered for certification from the program, I must:

✓ Attend all classes (in-person in Sunnyvale or virtual in June & July)
✓ Communicate consistently with my mentor
✓ Complete all prerequisite assignments prior to each session
✓ Actively and constructively participate in class activities and discussions
✓ Complete all assignments on time and receive a passing grade from the instructor
✓ Complete class oral presentation as assigned
✓ Participate in a mid-year review meeting
✓ Complete the final oral presentation as assigned
✓ Provide constructive feedback to the program
Type your name below to confirm your understanding of the above statements.*
Should be Empty:

CTO Mentor Program Application - 2025

I. Personal Data

II. Current Organization

III. Professional Background

IV. Leadership Experience

V. Goals for the CTO Mentor Program

VI. Documents

VIII. Confirmation