written by Duane Merrell and Alec Hrynyshyn

From 2008-2010 Al Hrynyshyn (Teacher-in-Residence) and Duane Merrell mentored 39 students, 27 who were certified to be secondary physic teachers. This effort has brought about some interesting insights when it comes to the mentoring and induction of new teachers. From traditional student teacher (mentor teacher placements), to dual placement of student teachers with one mentor teacher, with placement from Washington State to Washington DC, each mentoring experience has brought increased understanding for mentoring. We have traveled to mentor in places like Montezuma Creek, Utah; Encampment, Wyoming; Washington DC and the local schools in and around Provo, Utah. During this mentoring time we continue to mentor former students and help with the induction process of becoming a successful young teacher.

This presentation looks at some real life scenarios from our students and shows excitement for our successes as well as some humility in our failures, as they have helped shape the mentoring and induction models used at Brigham Young University. We are still learning and are willing to share our ideas in return for your feedback and ideas in hopes that perhaps we can help be better mentors for our students. The efforts of the Physics Department in supporting the mentoring of students, the ability to travel to do mentoring, and the efforts to reach each student we mentor every week are highlighted.

• Download EffortsinPhysicsTeacherPreparation.pdf - 5118kb Adobe PDF Document

Last Modified June 2, 2011