Cooperating Teachers as Mentors Effective student- teacher/cooperating-teacher interactions Prepared by: Kathy Guglielmi, Ph.D. University of RI

12 Considerations of Effective Mentoring 1. Develop safety in the learning relationship, the environment, the learning process. 2. Build a sound relationship between the CT and ST built on time, affirmation, mutual respect, open dialogue, responsiveness, useful feedback. 3. Develop clear roles – clearly communicate expectations for CT and ST, including ongoing dialogue in which both gain from the experience.

12 Considerations of Effective Mentoring (Cont.) 4. Assess needs of ST at the beginning of the relationship 5. Respect ST’s as active participants and decision makers in their learning 6. Utilize all aspects of learning – cognitive (ideas), affective/emotional (feelings), and psychomotor (actions)

12 Considerations of Effective Mentoring (Cont.) 8. Actively engage ST in the learning process with opportunities to dialogue – use a problem-based approach rather than a teacher to learner approach 7. Provide thoughtful sequencing of learning experiences – from dependence to independence; towards greater complexity, abstractness. 9. Provide for immediate usefulness of new learning

12 Considerations of Effective Mentoring (Cont.) 10. Allow for praxis – learning by doing with an opportunity for reflection 11. Use the concept of teamwork in the learning experience 12. Insure accountability – know that what was meant to be learned was learned

Pre-Observation Questions What student behaviors do you hope to see/hear? What do you hope students will be able to do following the lesson? What teaching strategies will you use or experiment with? How are the teaching strategies, desired student behaviors and outcomes related? Do you have any particular concerns regarding the above? Is there anything else you’d like to share with me before the observation?

Observation Connecting to the RIBTS: What should the standards look like in action? What evidence will you look for? Keep a reflective log to document reactions and feedback

Post-Observation Conference Questions and feedback How did you feel about the lesson? What do you recall of student behaviors? What do you recall of your own behaviors and strategies during the lesson? How did your strategies and behaviors compare to what was planned? To what extent do you feel the lesson’s objectives were achieved? What have you learned from this lesson?

Providing Useful Feedback and Support Be very specific and clear: avoid ambiguous comments Start with positive comments Offer suggestions for improvement Refer to the RIBTS with both positive and other comments Ask for ST’s understanding/feelings regarding your feedback