As used in Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 72-2561 through 72-2564, and amendments thereto:

(a) “Mentor teacher program” means a program established and maintained by the board of education of a school district for the purpose of providing probationary teachers with professional support and the continuous assistance of an on-site mentor teacher.

(b) “Mentor teacher” means a certificated teacher who has completed at least three consecutive school years of employment in the school district, has been selected by the board of education of the school district on the basis of having demonstrated exemplary teaching ability as indicated by criteria established by the state board of education, and has participated in and successfully completed a training program for mentor teachers provided for by the board of education of the school district in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the state board of education. The primary function of a mentor teacher shall be to provide probationary teachers with professional support and assistance. A mentor teacher may provide assistance and guidance to not more than two probationary teachers.

(c) “Probationary teacher” means a certificated teacher who has completed less than three consecutive school years of employment in the school district.