Title: The Roles, Responsibilities, and Significance of Mentor Leaders: Supporting the Professional Development of Teacher Candidates
Stream: Professional Training
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Lyndall Muschell, Georgia College & State University, United States
Nancy Mizelle, Georgia College & State University, United States
Abstract:
Initial Teacher Education programs within our College of Education are composed of three critical, interconnecting components: Mentor Leaders, cohorts, and extensive field experiences. The model provides a two-year scaffolded program. This presentation focuses on the roles, responsibilities, and significance of Mentor Leaders. Mentor Leaders are College of Education faculty who are assigned to incoming cohorts and, in a looping fashion, remain with cohorts through program completion. Mentor Leaders influence the professional development of candidates in multiple ways, serving as advisor, course instructor, and field supervisor. However, the significance of the role is found in the more non-traditional responsibilities that Mentor Leaders assume. Through the process of looping with a cohort over the course of two years, Mentor Leaders develop unique relationships. They come to understand the strengths and areas for improvement of individual candidates. They capitalize on this knowledge as they work to provide learning opportunities which encourage candidate ownership of learning, responsibility in decision making, accountability, leadership, and problem solving. They are role models through their practice and professional development. Indeed, Mentor Leaders play significant roles in the development of candidates. Where, as Mentor Leaders, we have lived the experience and understand the breadth and depth of these relationships and their impact, the challenge has been quantifying and qualifying this particular component of the program model. Therefore, a group has convened to conduct a comprehensive empirical study of the model including Mentor Leaders’ impact on candidate development. We invite feedback and seek dialogue that will inform our continued work.
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