6 Degrees of Preparation

Mentoring Teacher Candidates through the Teacher Performance Assessment

Kathleen Ofstedal - St. Cloud State UniversityApril 2011

Topics

Creating a Positive Cohort Mentality

Setting the Stage for the TPA

Format of the TPA

Separating into Manageable Sections

Section by Section Tips for Mentoring

Cohort Mentality

An educational cohort is a group of students who, in this case, work together toward completing a TPA. 

Can be positive or negative - this depends on you!

Provides built-in support, knowing that they are not alone.

The sense of community, tangible supports, and solid new friendships provide an incentive to come to class and finish. 

Cohort Building Activity

First Day

To disclose personal information to class as appropriate

Builds trust

Leadership begins to emerge• http://www.growyourownteachers.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&

Itemid=70

Setting the Stage

Teaching is an Art and a Science

Hard Copy of Handbook

3-ring Binder

Vocabulary

TPA is not an assignment, separate from their student teaching

Format & Process

Format of TPA

Process for mentoring in class/seminars

Assessing candidates’ progress

TPA Sections

Have candidates turn in work weekly

Do not allow them to get behind

Give points for each section turned in on time

Late sections lose points

Section by Section Tips

Context for Learning

Planning Instruction

Assessing Student Learning

Instructing and EngagingStudents in Learning

Academic Language