Title: Mentor Checklist
Author: Celi Garoe
Published: August 3, 2026

---

# Mentor Checklist

## In this article

 * [BEFORE THE PROJECT STARTS (Onboarding phase)](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#before-the-project-starts-onboarding-phase)
    - [Get the student set up](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#get-the-student-set-up)
    - [Confirm foundational courses are completed](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#confirm-foundational-courses-are-completed)
    - [Help them choose a real contribution project](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#help-them-choose-a-real-contribution-project)
    - [Set expectations early](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#set-expectations-early)
 * [DURING THE PROJECT (active contribution phase)](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#during-the-project-active-contribution-phase)
    - [Weekly rhythm](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#weekly-rhythm)
    - [Tracking and verification](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#tracking-and-verification)
    - [Reporting](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#reporting)
    - [Troubleshooting as it comes up](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#troubleshooting-as-it-comes-up)
    - [Closing out](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#closing-out)

[↑ Back to top](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#wp--skip-link--target)

Course link that the student will take – [https://learn.wordpress.org/course/wordpress-credits/](https://learn.wordpress.org/course/wordpress-credits/)

## 󠀁[BEFORE THE PROJECT STARTS (Onboarding phase)](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#before-the-project-starts-onboarding-phase)󠁿

 * **Set up a call with the student to introduce and get started. You can schedule
   a group call as well if they understand the same language.**

### 󠀁[Get the student set up](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#get-the-student-set-up)󠁿

 * Confirm they’ve created their WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where
   WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download
   the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central
   location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/)
   profile.
 * Confirm they’ve joined the global WordPress SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative
   Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community
   has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/)(
   and their local/regional Slack, if one exists for their language/area).
 * Make sure they know the key channels: #wpcredits (general) and where to reach
   you.
 * Create a Slack DM group, MentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor)
   is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their
   assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline,
   help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.
   <> Mentee, for regular check-ins.
 * Send/confirm they have their individual tracking/form link (usually shared in
   their Welcome email; you can also pull it from your Airtable dashboard if they
   lose it).

### 󠀁[Confirm foundational courses are completed](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#confirm-foundational-courses-are-completed)󠁿

 * Open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source
   code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source**
   must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. basics and WordPress.
 * Differences between WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress
   code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish 
   your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts
   the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start 
   blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. [https://wordpress.com/](https://wordpress.com/)
   and .org.
 * How decisions are made in the WordPress project.
 * Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced WordPress User course(s): 1 to 3, depending
   on their existing skill level.

### 󠀁[Help them choose a real contribution project](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#help-them-choose-a-real-contribution-project)󠁿

 * Walk them through the list of teams (CoreCore Core is the set of software required
   to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress., Polyglots, Support,
   Documentation, Test, Playground, Community, Training, TV, Photos, Design, Themes,
   DEIB, AccessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers
   to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with
   disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (
   i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s 
   assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.
   org/wiki/Accessibility), MetaMeta Meta is a term that refers to the inside workings
   of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like
   WordCamp Central and Make WordPress., Hosting) and point them to make.wordpress.
   org/[team-name] for each.
 * Double-check the project idea against what qualifies: it should tie to a team’s
   real goals, produce something useful to the wider community, and involve collaboration,
   not be a personal blog/portfolio or disconnected one-off experiment.
 * If relevant, share hosting/pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing
   a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend
   functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins
   are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress.
   These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
   or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. discount codes for their personal
   website (these come from the program, not the course itself).

### 󠀁[Set expectations early](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#set-expectations-early)󠁿

 * Explain the weekly meeting rhythm and 24-hour async response expectation.
 * Review the Code of ConductCode of Conduct “A code of conduct is a set of rules
   outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual
   party.” – [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_conduct) with them.
 * Make sure they understand lessons unlock sequentially, and they must submit their
   tracking form after each one.

## 󠀁[DURING THE PROJECT (active contribution phase)](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#during-the-project-active-contribution-phase)󠁿

### 󠀁[Weekly rhythm](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#weekly-rhythm)󠁿

 * Hold a ~30-min weekly meeting (same day/time) or a group meeting if several students
   share a language.
 * Cover: progress since last check-in, blockers/questions, goals for next week,
   feedback and encouragement.
 * Respond to Slack/email within 24 hours on working days, even if just to confirm
   receipt and give a timeframe.

### 󠀁[Tracking and verification](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#tracking-and-verification)󠁿

 * Check their Airtable submissions before each weekly meeting.
 * Verify their website/posts are genuine updates and reflections on the contribution
   work (not off-topic content).
 * Verify Slack participation and any event attendance links they’ve shared.
 * If something doesn’t fit the course’s purpose, ask them to revise it via their
   tracking link.

### 󠀁[Reporting](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#reporting)󠁿

 * Post a short biweekly update in #wpcredits-private summarizing each student’s
   status.
 * Escalate immediately (don’t wait for the biweekly cycle) if there’s an urgent
   issue.

### 󠀁[Troubleshooting as it comes up](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#troubleshooting-as-it-comes-up)󠁿

 * Not engaging: reach out proactively, simplify tasks; escalate to [education@wordpressfoundation.org](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/education@wordpressfoundation.org?output_format=md)
   if there’s no response after 4+ attempts over 2+ weeks.
 * Overwhelmed/behind: help reprioritize, set mini-deadlines, celebrate small wins.
 * Wants to change project scope: understand why, connect them to the right team,
   check feasibility, have them keep (not discard) earlier work.
 * Technical/workflow blockers: point to Slack/forums/docs, give a quick demo, encourage
   documenting the fix.

### 󠀁[Closing out](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-checklist/?output_format=md#closing-out)󠁿

 * Confirm their final reflection post is published (Wrap-up stage).
 * Ask them to fill out the feedback forms using the correct email (the same one
   they have in the personal link, without spelling errors and without capital letters).
 * Point them toward ongoing resources if they want to stay involved (Learn WordPress,
   Make WordPress, WordPress.tv, WordPress Education).

First published

August 3, 2026

[  Previous: Mentor Check-in Templates](https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/education/credits/mentor-guide/mentor-check-in-templates/)

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