Mentor Teachers
Dear mentor teachers: The Educator Preparation Office sincerely appreciates your willingness to take part in preparation of the next generation of teachers. UNC places high expectations on its teacher candidates to be supportive, helpful, collaborative and punctual to aid in the mentor teacher’s classroom environment and school.
Mentor teacher qualifications are:
- Valid Colorado license in the area of the teacher candidate OR submit evidence of demonstrated successful teaching and knowledge of specific content using this qualification verification form.
- For student teaching or comparable final field experience: At least three (3) years of full time professional teaching experience in the area of the teacher candidate or four (4) years for non-licensed teachers. All other mentorship, such as practicum, requires 2 years of teaching experience.
- Building principal or District approval; recognition as a master teacher or educational professional.
Mentor teacher expectations vary across the programs; please check with program coordinators. Common expectations:
- Meet with UNC faculty supervisor at the beginning or before the field experience.
- Provide mentorship to teacher candidates, observe their teaching and provide constructive, detailed feedback.
- Submit required evaluation forms and other documentation (see appropriate handbooks).
How to get credit for hosting/module completion:
UNC is currently offering a professional development course for mentor teachers, hosting UNC teacher licensure candidates, that will grant completers 1 graduate credit that may have the potential to be used toward a graduate mentor endorsement program in the future. Please complete this non-degree seeking student application to get a UNC email and bear # set-up. Once you have that, please email cheryl.sparks@unco.edu to gain access to the training and receive graduate credit.
UNC Mentor Teacher Compensation Options for Hosting Teacher Candidates:
Graduate Credit for supervising the teacher candidate
- Appears on your official transcript
- Cannot be used toward a degree program
- Often used for district pay scale advancement
- Graduate Credit for supervising the teacher candidate
- Appears on your official transcript
- Cannot be used toward a degree program
- Often used for district pay scale advancement
- A Stipend Payment
- $50 for hosting a practicum student
- $100 for hosting a student teacher
Please use this Mentor Teacher Compensation page for submission.
In addition:
Mentor teachers may request a verification form used for licensure renewal credit
with the State. Contact Cheryl Sparks to request this form. *Please note these letters are not available until two weeks prior to the end of the
placement.
