Mentoring & Support for the Teacher Education Program Internship Year for Secondary and K-12 Candidates
The philosophy of the Teacher Education Program is to engage in collaborative partnerships with schools and school districts where teacher candidates are placed. The school district, college, and candidate need to work together to ensure that effective teaching and learning take place throughout the school year. Candidates must be successful in their college coursework and in the classroom with students in order to be recommended for licensure.
Success in the classroom requires expertise and support from experienced teachers and administrators in the field. It is of primary importance that the candidate and the mentor teacher develop a relationship based on trust and non-judgmental support. The mentor teacher serves as a learning facilitator, a model, a guide, a counselor, and even a friend.
The Western State College Teacher Licensure Internship Program is an innovative program that assists pre-service teachers in making greater connections between teaching pedagogy and actual classroom application. It is a rigorous program in which candidates co-teach with a master teacher, in their same content area, 24 hours per week for the entire school year AT THE SAME TIME as they take up to 26 on-line credits of pedagogy through Western State College. In order to provide a varied experience, candidates are encouraged to switch placements at semester. In addition to the minimum 24 hour requirement, candidates are expected to participate in planning sessions, faculty meetings, and extra-curricular school activities.
Internship Mentor Qualifications:
Teachers who mentor candidates are expected to meet certain criteria. As part of the placement process, the teacher completes two self-assessment forms regarding general selection criteria and teacher education standards relevant to mentoring the candidate. The general selection criteria for the mentor include:
REQUIRED Qualifications
- Colorado teacher licensure in the same subject area or field as the candidate is seeking licensure in
PREFERRED Qualifications
- A minimum of three to five years of teaching experience and two years in the school district where the candidate is placed
- Master’s degree
- Demonstrated record of superior classroom performance
- Demonstrated record of continuing educational and professional growth
- Demonstrated commitment to professional responsibility
- Recognized within their school as an exemplary role model and leader
Internship Mentor Responsibilities
- Complete Confirmation of Internship Placement, General Criteria for Selecting Mentor Teachers Assessment, and the Mentor Teacher’s Self-Assessment. Return all documents in the provided envelope to the WSC Mentor Coordinator.
- After receiving a notification email from the Mentor Coordinator, enter mentor contact information on the Internship Program website
- Mentor will receive an Internship Mentor Guidebook and support text outlining the following responsibilities in detail
- Complete the on-line Mentor Training Module on the Internship Program website and participate in 3 web-based seminars during the school year
- Meet formally with the candidate at least one hour per week to review teaching ideas, provide professional/emotional support, and complete the required checklists and actions plans in the Internship Mentor Guidebook. Model effective teaching practices, co-teach with the candidate, and observe the candidate teaching. Provide on-going effective feedback to the candidate throughout the entire school year.
- Serve as chair of the Support Team (mentor teacher, WSC candidate, WSC Regional Coordinator, and school administrator) during 3 support team meetings per semester. Prepare the Support Team Action Plan during the meetings
- Enter dates of Support Team Meetings and indicate candidate progress and support needs using the Internship Program website
- Mail the mentor checklists, action plans, observations, and program surveys to the Internship Corps Director at the end of the school year
- Mentor will receive a stipend for $200/semester and a certificate for 30 clock hours/semester (2 credits) toward licensure renewal
Incentives for Internship Mentors
- Stipend for the mentor $200/semester
- Colorado Department of Education licensure renewal hours – 30 clock hours/semester
- Professional development to improve mentorship skills for adult learners
- Personal and professional growth for the mentor
- Satisfaction of helping the candidate become an effective new teacher
The Internship Program Support Team
In addition to having a mentor, each candidate works with a support team throughout the school year. The mentor is the chair for this team. This team meets with the candidate six times per year (3 times per semester) to plan and address on-going goals and to determine types of support needed until the next support team meeting. In collaboration with faculty at Western State College, the support team provides a positive network of support for the candidate. The Internship Program provides support teams with well defined checklists and forms that outline tasks and responsibilities for each meeting time.
Support Team Members
- Mentor teacher
- Internship candidate
- School Principal or other school administrator with appropriate supervisory and administrative experience (attends a minimum of 2 meetings per year)
- Western State College Regional Coordinator (attends 3-4 meetings per year)
Support Team Responsibilities
- Meet to collaborate in the development of the Support Team Action Plan for the candidate as outlined in the Internship Mentor Guidebook
- Review results of the Support Team Action Plan
- Review observation reports prepared by the mentor teacher to aide in the development of the Support Team Action Plan form
- Support the candidate with issues regarding teaching performance and coursework requirements for the program
- Keep the WSC Internship Program informed of any issues or concerns regarding performance in the classroom or professionalism is the schools
- Provide a positive forum for the candidate to share thoughts and feelings
- Celebrate successes with the candidate!
Updated 6/20/07