Mentoring and Supervision For Teacher Development

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource on mentoring for educators
Review: I used this book as a resource in a graduate level course on mentoring. It proved to be a comprehensive text on adult learning and learning theory in general. The case studies were poignant and highlighted the theories being discussed. The book does point out the need to reflect on one's practice which is often forgotten in the education field. This book comes highly recommended as an excellent textbook for mentoring classes at the graduate level in education. Even though it is comprehensive and therefore lengthy, the text is well indexed and can be easily used as a topical reference.

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource Textbook for Field Supervisors & Mentors
Review: I used this book to teach prospective supervisors of student teachers at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. This book has many features I found inviting to the learner. It has biographies of leaders in education--generally 1-2 pages in length followed by great reflective question. It has an introduction and a summary for each chapter that gains reader interest and reviews learnings as well. It has contemporary issues presented in a way that allows the reader to draw professional judgements--I did not feel I was being "told" what to think, nor did I feel "preached to". Great text!!

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource Textbook for Field Supervisors & Mentors
Review: This book has a fairly complete background and history about teacher supervision and mentoring. Its academic and practical approach allows access for the classroom setting, field supervision scenario and practical tips for mentors and their mentees. It is both a research tool and practical tool for learning how to supervise, be a mentor and what the current thinking is on participatory action research & mentoring. The authors have brought together a workable blend of insightful case studies with theory. The result is a useful reference for field supervisors and their induction phase teachers.

Rating:
Summary: Practical and helpful. A must for your mentoring library!
Review: This book serves better as a handbook or manual for mentors or those interested in becoming mentors. It is not necessary to read the entire book unless you want to know more about the history and background of teacher development and its trends.

What I liked most about this book was that you can refer to any given part of the book that was of interest for guidelines and suggestions in mentoring. The authors provide you with various Development Activities to use with your mentees. Also, things that you can put together in your professional portfolio as a teacher or mentor.

There's a great move to using the Coaching Plan in supervision. There's a sample plan included. A plan of action is included along with follow-ups with dates. You can also assign special assignments or readings for mentees as a suggestion to improve certain skills.

The use of journal writing is highly encouraged and promoted. Various formats are provided. It is suggested that at the end of the month, you go back to reread your entries to look for ideas, themes or feelings that surface from these entries. It's a good way to reflect on your practice through this type of analysis of your journal entries.