Mentor Teacher Information

Thank you for considering joining our program as a mentor teacher! Mentor teachers play a critical role in the development of our undergraduate students in their pursuit of a career in science, agriculture or math teaching. The MTeach fieldwork placements allow students to put into practice what they are learning in their respective courses.

Forms and Information

Step 1:

Step 2:

FAQs

What is the MTeach program?

MTeach is a collaborative program between the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and the College of Education. MTeach aims to prepare outstanding secondary mathematics, agriculture and science teachers through a four-year program that leads to a degree in mathematics, agriculture, or a science and a Tennessee teaching license. MTeach is partnered with UTeach, a nationally recognized secondary science, math and computer science teacher preparation program from the University of Texas at Austin that began in 1997. The program emphasizes early and ongoing field experiences. 

Why mentor teachers?

We depend on experienced elementary, middle school, and high school teachers to act as mentors to our students during field experiences. Mentor teachers open their classrooms to a pair of MTeach students, offering guidance and support as they begin to learn about classroom teaching. 

Who are MTeach students?

The students who will teach in your classroom will be MTSU undergraduates who are just beginning to explore the career of teaching. They are receiving ongoing instruction in lesson design, classroom management, and science, agriculture 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 Step 1 and Step 2, the first two courses in the MTeach program. 

What are my responsibilities as a mentor teacher?

For Step 1 and 2, you will meet with your pair(s) of MTeach students early in the semester and set up the topics and dates for them to teach three lessons. All mentor teachers communicate (via email or phone) with the teaching team during the lesson planning process; provide feedback on the teaching team's written lesson plan; assume primary responsibility for classroom management; provide assistance to MTeach students during group activities; and complete short reviews of their performance at the end of each lesson and a more thorough summary at the completion of their three lessons. 

How are students scheduled into my classroom?

Your school district and principal have agreed to allow MTeach students to teach in your classroom during your regularly scheduled mathematics or science periods. Please be sure to send the MTeach course instructors your preferred days/times/class periods you are willing to host an MTeach student team. The instructor will then select a team of students (2-3) whose schedules match your own. 

How will I benefit as a mentor teacher?

For Step 1 and 2, the MTeach program will pay you $125 for each student team you work with during the semester. Beyond the remuneration, your students will benefit from having well-prepared, college undergraduates who are motivated to teach inquiry-based math/science lessons in your classroom. Additionally, you will receive the satisfaction of preparing future teachers in a program that is receiving national attention. You might even pick up ideas for your own teaching.

 

What are the responsibilities of the mentor teacher?

Supervision
  1. Schedule the dates for the observations and three lessons within the targeted weeks.
  2. Provide timely communication with MTeach instructors when problems arise.
  3. Be present in the classroom at all times during the MTeach students' visits. Due to the importance of getting feedback from a Mentor Teacher, if you need a substitute on the day your MTeach team is scheduled to teach, it is best to reschedule your MTeach team, if possible.
  4. Assume primary responsibility for classroom management.
Coaching and Evaluation
  1. Communicate with MTeach students (via email or phone) to provide feedback on written lesson plans.
  2. Provide informal feedback to MTeach students during their lesson.
  3. Complete short formal teaching feedback for each lesson taught by an MTeach student. You will do this within three (3) days of their lesson by completing the online form.
  4. Complete a short summary evaluation for each MTeach student upon completion of the three lessons.
Orientation Meeting Attendance
  1. Attend the 1.5 hour orientation meeting where you will meet the team of students who will observe and teach in your classroom.
  2. Complete the initial planning of the dates the MTeach students will observe your class and teach three lessons.
  3. Assist with initial planning of the lessons, particularly the first lesson.
  4. Bring your appropriate lesson plans and a copy of instructional materials your MTeach students will use (if applicable).

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MTeach
MTSU Box 145
Midgett Building, Room 101
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

615-494-8673
mteach@mtsu.edu