STUDENT TEACHING MODEL
Western Illinois University
Mentor Teacher
University
Supervisor
University Department Major
University St. Tea.
Coordinator
University Liaison
Responsibilities/Activities Summary
Mentor Teacher- observe/communicate on a daily basis the performance of the student teacher; give feedback
to student teacher and keep supervisor updated as to student teacher progress; provide suggestions/ideas for
improvement; complete disposition form (4th week), midterm evaluation and final evaluation forms; identify
resources as needed/available and provide guidance for successful professional experiences.
University Supervisor- facilitate the placement for the student teacher experience; organize/facilitate 3 local
student teacher seminars per semester; visit each student teacher 3 plus times; communicate weekly with
student teachers/mentor teachers; problem solve student teacher concerns/issues; provide guidance to student
teachers; communicate with the school district central office as well as building administration; and provide
orientation information for the mentor teacher.
University Teacher Coordinator- coordinate/supervise the student teaching program; provide assistance to
supervisors, student teachers and mentor teachers as requested/identified; plan/organize return to campus
seminar; problem solve student teaching concerns; organize administrative paperwork for the program; and
facilitate communication between all participants.
Major Department- provide resources as requested/available to the student teacher; faculty assistance as
requested from student teacher/supervisor; and forward feedback/input to the student teaching
coordinator/supervisors for program improvement. (Some department faculty members visit/observe student
teachers in their majors.)
University Liaison- visit the student teacher 2 plus times during the experience; provide assistance with
placement as appropriate; observe the student teacher in the classroom and provide assistance/guidance to the
student teacher/mentor teacher as requested.
12/1010
COMPETENCIES OF EFFECTIVE STUDENT TEACHER MENTORS
Committed to the role of mentoring
Accepting of the student teacher
Skilled at providing instructional support
Effective in different interpersonal contexts
A model of a continuous learner
Able to communicate hope and optimism
Skilled in communication including conflict resolution
Skilled in peer instructional coaching
Skilled in observing, analyzing and providing feedback to the student teacher
Able to reflect and be proactive about their own teaching and the teaching of
the student teacher
Skilled in analyzing the learning of diverse students and able to help the student
teacher learn from these processes
A model of effective class management skills
Completion of three successful years of classroom teaching
Completion of three successful years of classroom teaching
Recommendation of building principal to be a positive mentor teacher
12/2010
Dr. K. G. Erickson