Become a mentor

What is a faculty mentor?

A faculty mentor supports and evaluates teacher candidates growth as they work through their practicum experiences towards certification readiness. This position is a part-time opportunity that takes place from October to November and then from February to May.

What are the responsibilities of a faculty mentor?

• Design experiences for teacher candidates so that they have adequate information, preparation, instruction, and supervision during their practicum experiences.
• Provide feedback as needed to help your teacher candidates identify strengths and areas of needed growth in relation to Teacher Education values and goals.
• Work in partnership with the department head, education advisor, teacher mentors, and program coordinator(s).
• Develop systematic, ongoing, and consistent procedures for observing and recording information about teacher candidates’ work in the school setting.
• Discuss your teacher candidates’ professional development and assess your teacher candidates’ progress in reaching certification readiness in relation to the goals of the Teacher Education department.
• Attend teacher mentor and teacher candidate orientations and faculty mentor meetings.
• Independently write, discuss, and receive feedback from your teacher candidate and teacher mentor on your final report for EDUC 492 and formalize the closure of the placement.

What qualifications should a faculty mentor have?

Applicants should have demonstrated abilities in the following areas: 

• Extensive experience mentoring in schools.
• Extensive experience teaching in public schools.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Effective problem solver who can manage conflict in a productive and professional manner.
• Strong familiarity with B.C. curriculum.
• Experience with local school districts served by UFV’s Teacher Education department.
• Willing to drive to various sites in the Fraser Valley as needed.
• Held, at one point, a valid B.C. teaching certificate in good standing.

How to submit an expression of interest to be a Faculty mentor?

 Your expression of interest should include the following documents:

• A cover letter addressing why you wish to be considered for the position of faculty mentor at UFV.
• A CV demonstrating how you meet the qualifications listed above.
• A minimum of two referees who can speak to your ability to mentor new teachers.

Completed expression of interests should be directed to the Teacher Education department assistant, Suki Grewal. Expression of interests will be kept on file for two years.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted in late spring for the following school year.

The Teacher Education Department places Teacher Candidates in K-12 public schools within the Fraser Valley for the two field experiences, EDUC 490 (School Experience) and EDUC 492 (Certifying Practicum). 

If you are a K-12 public school teacher who is interested in supporting the development of a UFV teacher candidate, please speak with your school principal about your interest.

A teacher enrolled in the UFV MEd who mentors a UFV BEd teacher candidate during practicum is eligible for a graduate stipend equivalent to 2 credits ($1,141), to be administered at the end of the MEd program.

For more information, download our Teacher Mentor Handbook.