The main role of the Mentor Teacher throughout the Pre-Student Teaching Practicum is to guide and assist the pre-student teaching candidate in understanding and adapting to the classroom setting. For many of the candidates, this is their first time venturing into the classroom and there are several areas to which they should be exposed. These include content knowledge and delivery, classroom management skills and styles, and overall professionalism.
Pre-student teaching candidates have assignments required by the course that must be accomplished during the practicum. It is the responsibility of the pre-student teaching candidate to complete all assignments while making you aware of what they are, and working with you as needed to fulfill them. While the goal is to have the pre-student teaching candidate as involved as possible in the classroom, it is left to the mentor teacher to decide the level of involvement.
As a mentor, you will receive information prior to, or at the beginning of the practicum that includes the student?s name, expectations, course syllabus, and other materials specific to the observation. Should you have any concerns or require additional information please contact the Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification at (315) 267-3022.
Following are some suggestions for involving your pre-student teaching candidate:
- Introduce them to faculty and staff and offer guidance in the development of their professional skills and interactions
- Provide them the opportunity to observe you teach and manage your classroom
- Put them to work! Depending on your level of comfort, have them:
- work with students in small groups
- help with technology
- proctor quizzes
- grade papers
- offer tutorials
- assist with homework in study halls
- help students with seat work
- conduct a bell ringer
- hand out papers (homework, tests, assignments)
- take attendance
- put up a bulletin board
- photocopy papers for the class
- work with you on developing a lesson plan
- teach a lesson, or part of one
Mentor teachers play an integral role in the development of our future teachers. The guidance, constructive feedback, and opportunities you provide throughout the practicum are vital to the learning process.