SKyTeach Mentor Teacher

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the SKyTeach program?

SKyTeach is a teacher preparation program for science and math majors desiring to teach in middle or secondary schools. Patterned after the highly successful, nationally recognized UTeach program at University of Texas at Austin, the SKyTeach program emphasizes early and meaningful field-based experiences.

Why mentor teachers?

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

Who are SKyTeach students?

The students who will teach in your classroom are predominantly WKU undergraduates majoring in math or science, who are just beginning to explore the career of teaching. They will have received 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 schools.

How are students scheduled into my classroom?

Your principal has agreed to allow the SKyTeach students to teach in your classrooms during your regularly scheduled mathematics or science periods. Once you have given us your preferred class periods, we will select a pair of students whose schedules match your own.

How will I benefit as a mentor teacher?

We will pay you $100 for the semester commitment you make to each student pair including the one-time seminar attendance as well as the three lessons the pair will teach under your mentoring. Beyond the remuneration, you will receive the satisfaction of preparing future teachers in a program that is receiving national attention. In addition to coaching the SKyTeach students, you will probably pick up new ideas for your own teaching.

What are my responsibilities as a mentor teacher?

You will meet your pair(s) of SKyTeach students 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; provide assistance to SKyTeach students during group activities; 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.

Supervision

• Schedule the dates for SKyTeach students to visit the classroom for observation and three lessons within the targeted time period
• Be present in the classroom at all times during SKyTeach student lessons.
• Assume primary responsibility for classroom management.
• Provide timely communication with SKyTeach staff when problems arise.

Coaching and Evaluation

• Provide informal feedback to SKyTeach students during their lessons.
• Complete brief, formal teaching feedback for each lesson taught by a SKyTeach student.
• Complete a short summary evaluation for each SKyTeach student upon completion of the three lessons.

Seminar Attendance

• Attend a one-time seminar where you will meet the team of students who will observe and teach in your classroom.
• Complete the initial planning of the dates the SKyTeach students 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 SKyTeach students will use (if applicable).

Who do I contact

Karen Long
Hardin Planetarium Office 601
270-745-3900
SKyTeach@wku.edu