CD-ROM based
6 modules
Courseware Demo
The BEST Mentoring Experience provides in-depth mentor training for the success and professional development of beginning educators as well as mentors. Interactive exercises, mentoring interactions and instructional videos are used to engage the content. This courseware is delivered by CD-ROM and contains 6 independent study modules. This course meets the "No Child Left Behind" initiative.
Expected Outcomes:
The major contributors to high teacher attrition rate are the lack of support, inadequate induction and few well-organized mentoring programs. Educators who successfully complete this program will gain:
- Collaborative skill sets for mentoring others
- Improved teaching practices that affect student achievement
- Renewed enthusiasm and commitment to teaching
- Helpful strategies for adjusting to new positions/roles
- A standards-based framework for professional practice
- Tools for building systemic support CPE or college credit
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Courseware Modules:
Module 1: Establishing the Mentoring Relationship - How mentoring relationships begin is critical to the success of the overall mentoring process. Mentors will learn specific, observable behaviors for initiating positive relationships with their mentees. They will also learn how to identify and meet the needs of beginning teachers during five phases of attitudinal changes that occur throughout the year.
Module 2: Encouraging Teachers through Mentoring - Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential in building a mentoring relationship. In this module, mentors begin to use the tools of reflective questioning and the Array Interaction Model to build these skills. Both tools help mentors frame their interactions with mentees and strengthen the foundation of the mentoring relationship.
Module 3: Developing Teaching Skills and Support through Mentoring - What tools can teachers use to analyze and reflect on best teaching practices? This module offers solutions such as data collection techniques, specific feedback, and systemic support. These tools help mentors and mentees refine their teaching practices and further define their individual plans for professional growth.
Module 4: Analyzing and Planning for Professional Growth through Mentoring - Effective mentors learn how to adapt their behavior to meet the changing needs of their mentees. This flexibility makes the mentoring relationship more dynamic and moves the relationship toward the collaborative part of the Mentoring cycle.
Module 5: Strengthening Teacher Practices through Mentoring - Mentors help shape a new teacher’s vision of excellence. Teaching standards, along with performance criteria and best teaching practices that support these standards, are tools a mentor can use to provide a structured approach to help new teachers achieve excellence.
Module 6: Reflecting on the Mentoring Relationship - Mentors are encouraged to reflect on concepts and skills presented in the BEST mentor-training program as they help new teachers close down the school year. Equipped with this knowledge, mentors can celebrate their contributions to the teaching profession and plan how to use this experience to benefit new teachers in the future.
Design and Production Team
Content Specialists:
- Sharon A. Kortman, Ed.D., lecture professor in the College of Education at Arizona State University, is the Executive Director of the Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) — a partnership between university and school districts providing support and training in the areas of teacher induction, mentoring and preparation for aligning practice to teaching standards. She is co-author and editor of BEST teacher induction and mentoring books and supplemental resources. Her research emphasizes attracting and retaining quality teachers, along with strengthening effective teaching practices. She is also a consultant specializing in personality and interaction styles to support the education profession and positively affect student achievement.
- Connie J. Honaker, MA, a faculty associate at Arizona State, is the Coordinator and Consultant for the BEST program. She is co-author and editor of BEST teacher induction and mentoring books and supplemental resources. Having taught at elementary and secondary levels and served in various administrative roles, she is a recipient of the Arizona Distinguished Administrator of the Year Award. Her experience has given her insight into the needs of teachers and administrators.
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Producers:
- Production Director - Craig Mayes
- Product Design Director - Suzanne Dunn, PhD
- Instructional Designers - Thomas Upton, EdD
- Video Producer - Ken Harrison
- Content Consultant - Marjorie Westberry, PhD
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Advisory Committee:
- Diane Allen, EdD, Associate Dean, College of Education, University of North Texas
- Thomas M. Dana, PhD, Henry Hermanowicz Professor of Teacher Education, Penn State University
- Sharon Fagan, Education Faculty, Coordinator CORE Teacher Education Program, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Maricopa Community Colleges
- Jean Keller, EdD, Dean, College of Education, University of North Texas
- Brenda Kihl, Director, Center for Teaching, Learning & Professional Development, Collin County Community College District, Allen, TX
- Eileen Reed, EdD, Deputy Director of Academic Services, Region XIII Education Service Center, Austin, TX
- Peter Rubba, EdD, Director of Academic Services, World Campus, Penn State University
- Sue Swartz, Professional Development Consultant, Heartland Area Agency 11, Johnston, IA
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