The Corps of Mentor Teachers: A Promising PracticeRationale for the Corps of MentorsRetention of GraduatesNeed for Professional Development Focused on MentoringNeed to Recruit and Retain TeachersWinthrop University’s Commitment to QualitySlide 7How Does a Teacher Become a Member of the Corps?Benefits of the Corps of MentorsSlide 10Slide 11Slide 12How Mentors Benefit Schools and the Teaching ProfessionHow Mentors Benefit Schools (continued)The Corps of Mentor TeachersCopyright 2002, Winthrop UniversityThe Corps of Mentor Teachers:A Promising PracticeRichard W. RileyCollege of EducationWinthrop UniversityRock Hill, SCRationale for the Corps of Mentors•Need to retain education graduates in the field•Need for professional development focused on mentoring•Need to recruit and retain teachers as we face a national shortage of qualified teachers•Winthrop University is committed to qualityRetention of Graduates•South Carolina colleges and universities graduated 2400 students with degrees in education in May, 2001. Only 55% are currently teaching in South Carolina.Need for Professional Development Focused on Mentoring•Winthrop University places approximately 200 interns in public school classrooms each year under the direction of teachers with a wide range of experiences and abilities.Need to Recruit and Retain Teachers•As we face a national teacher shortage, we must provide quality mentors to interns and teachers new to the profession. We can no longer afford to loose 50% of our teachers within the first three years they teach.Winthrop University’s Commitment to Quality•Winthrop University is committed to improving the quality of the field experience provided to our students.•The Corps of Mentor Teachers was created to develop a group of teachers skilled in mentoring student interns and others new to the profession.Corps of Mentor Teachers at Winthrop UniversityHow Does a Teacher Become a Member of the Corps?•Teachers are invited to join the Corps of Mentors.•Teachers must complete a Mentor Teacher Application.•Principals must sign the application indicating their approval.•An assessment of the mentor teacher is completed by the university supervisor and the intern.Benefits of the Corps of Mentors•EDUC 655: Teacher Leadership: Conversations from the Field•Additional compensation each time a student intern is placed with a Corps member.•Opportunities for leadershipHow Mentors Benefit Schools and the Teaching Profession•Mentors are excellent recruiters of new teachers.•Mentors learn about current issues and trends in education that benefit their students and colleagues.•Mentors develop relationships with other accomplished teachers.How Mentors Benefit Schools (continued)•Mentors understand and accept the responsibilities of leadership both within their schools and the larger education community.•Mentors appreciate and participate in the scholarship of teaching by engaging in inquiry.•Mentors have engaged in critical analysis of their role as teacher educators and the responsibilities involved in mentoring those new to the professionThe Corps of Mentor TeachersA Promising Practice of the Richard W. Riley College of Education Winthrop UniversityPresented by Dr. Cindy J. CooleyMs. Elaine A.