Foundations in Mentoring for Clinical Faculty: A Training for Those Who Work With Pre-service Teachers | Center for Teacher Leadership, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University
Program Description
The VCU Clinical Faculty Program identifies exemplary teachers who want to work with student teachers and provides them training to be effective cooperating teachers. This two-day training for Clinical Faculty is a foundational training that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that are critical for those who work with preservice teachers. The training is based on the Santa Cruz mentor training and is guided by the belief that learning to teach is a career-long developmental process that involves a continuous cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting. Designed and conducted by National Board Certified Teachers who have completed nine days of Santa Cruz mentor training, this two-day training represents the most essential knowledge, skills, and tools needed to work effectively with student teachers/interns.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1) and Professionalism (ISLLC standards 5 & 6)Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of the training participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools to: (1) build an effective mentoring relationship; (2) establish an environment for professional growth; (3) assess the preservice teacher's level of practice; (4) select appropriate coaching and support strategies for preservice teachers; and (5) collect observation data related to professional standards.Program Format
Foundations in Mentoring for Clinical Faculty is a totally interactive training that actively engages each participant in learning and practicing the skills, strategies, and tools needed to work effectively with pre-service teachers. Instructional strategies include small group, hands-on activities, partner sharing, reflective writing, graphic organizers, analysis and discussion of teaching/mentoring videos, role playing, and coaching.Target Audience
Cooperating teachers and university supervisors of student teachers/interns.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
Yes. While exemplary teachers apply and must be accepted into the VCU Clinical Faculty Program, the training is available to others who wish to work with preservice teachers. Universities also may identify individuals for this training.Duration of Program
Two full days (8:00 a.m. - 3:30 P.M.)Outcomes Measured
Measured outcomes of the VCU Clinical Faculty Program include the (1) impact of the training on the knowledge and skills of cooperating teachers; and (2) the percentages of VCU student teachers placed with Clinical Faculty.Program Evaluation
Participant evaluation forms will evaluate the effectiveness of the Foundations in Mentoring for Clinical Faculty training. Program evaluation for the VCU Clinical Faculty Program will be conducted by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) under the leadership of Dr. James McMillan to determine changes in the knowledge and skills of K-12 teachers trained as Clinical Faculty and overall effectiveness of the program. Participants beyond the VCU Clinical Faculty Program may access the methodology and results of the carefully designed federal study of the program, but will not be included in the broader program evaluation. They will, however, help to evaluate the quality of the training.Contact Information
Dr. Terry Dozier, Director
Center for Teacher Leadership
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education
P.O. Box 842020
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
804-827-0102
804-828-1323 (FAX)
tdozier@vcu.edu