About Mentoring

What is the teachHOUSTON program?
The University of Houston is initiating a secondary teacher-preparation program for natural sciences and mathematics majors. The program emphasizes early and on-going field-based experiences. teachHOUSTON is the first replication site of the UTeach Program, a nationally recognized teacher-preparation program. 

Why mentor teachers?
We depend on experienced elementary, middle, and high school teachers to act as mentors to our students during their field-based experiences.  Mentor teachers open their classrooms to teachHOUSTON students, offering guidance and support as they begin to learn about classroom teaching. 

Who are teachHOUSTON students?
The students who will teach in your classroom are UH undergraduates (freshmen or sophomores) who are just beginning to explore the career of teaching.  They are receiving on-going instruction in lesson design, classroom management, and science and mathematics content, but they are NOT yet student teachers.  Their final decision to pursue teaching as a career will be influenced to a great extent by their field experiences in your school.

What are my responsibilities as a mentor teacher?
You will meet your teachHOUSTON student(s) early in the semester and set up the topics and dates for them to teach three lessons.  All mentor teachers assume primary responsibility for classroom management while teachHOUSTON students are teaching. We also ask mentor teacher to provide assistance toteachHOUSTON students during the group activities of their lessons, and complete short reviews of their performance at the end of each lesson and a more thorough summary evaluation at the completion of their three lessons.  

How are students scheduled into my classroom?
Your principal has agreed to allow the teachHOUSTON students to teach in your classrooms during your regularly scheduled mathematics or science times.  Once you have given us your preferred class times, we will select a student (or pair of students) whose schedule(s) match your own. 

How will I benefit?
We will pay you $250 for each student you work with plus $100 for attending one teachHOUSTON information seminar.

Beyond the remuneration, you will receive the satisfaction of preparing future teachers in a program that is receiving national attention.  In addition to coaching theteachHOUSTON students, you will probably pick up new ideas for your own teaching.

Supervison

• Schedule the dates for the two observations and three lessons within the targeted weeks.
• Provide teachHOUSTON students with lesson topic and objectives, TEKS to be addressed, and activity suggestions at least 3 weeks prior to planned teaching date.
• Provide timely communication with teachHOUSTON students and instructor about lesson plans.
• Be present in the classroom at all times during the
  teachHOUSTON student’s visits.
• Assume primary responsibility for classroom management.
• Provide timely communication with instructor (Dr. Susan Williams) when problems arise.

Coaching and Evaluation

• Provide informal feedback to teachHOUSTON students after they have taught each of their three lessons.
• Complete short formal teaching feedback for each lesson taught by a teachHOUSTON student.  You will hand this to the teachHOUSTON students as they leave your room. 
• Complete a short summary evaluation for yourteachHOUSTON student upon completion of the three lessons.

Seminar Attendance

• During 1 hour seminar, meet theteachHOUSTON student who will observe and teach in your classroom.
• Complete the initial planning of the dates theteachHOUSTON student will observe your class and teach three lessons.
• Assist with initial planning of the lessons, particularly the first lesson.
• Bring your annual lesson plans and a copy of any textbook your teachHOUSTON students will use (if applicable).

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Please fill this out and hand to student before he/she leaves your class.

Mentor Teacher Name: ________________________________      

Student Name:                                                                        

Date: _____________________          Time: __________ to __________

(Circle One)
Lesson 1            Lesson 2           Lesson 3

Strengths I observed:

Suggestions for improvement:

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Download Course Sequence in pdf file.

View Course Sequence