Building Our Future - The University of Akron

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Mentoring: a Blueprint for Successful Teaching The Orange City High School students began mentoring their middle school students by supporting and organizing creative opportunities for them, and providing social and emotional guidance through the Stargirl Society, developed after the Jerry Spinelli novel, “Stargirl.” “I believe that this mentorship model has provided a framework for our middle school teacher candidates to implement in all diverse settings as they recognize the needs of their future 21 st century learners and the importance of adult advocacy for our young adolescents,” says Walker. Deborah Walker (middle front row) with mentors and mentees. Touching the Future Through Mentorship On Nov. 7, 2008, two groups of student mentors and mentees experienced a Day of Mentorship at The University of Akron. Deborah Walker, instructor (CIS), brought together her middle school teacher candidates and Orange High School students from Kathy Frazier’s academically talented class to participate in teambuilding activities and reflective brainstorming sessions to learn strategies and techniques for successful mentorship experiences. This day of celebration, supported by the Office of the Dean of Education, provided 67 students with T-shirts, recreational activities, lunch, mentorship presentations and learning activities. Future goals were created and a mentorship model was established. The middle school teacher candidates have tutored and supported their 7 th and 8 th grade mentees in math and language arts to help improve their state-mandated test scores. They also have worked as adult advocates for their mentees’ academic and emotional success. Although the focus of both groups differed, the rewards of building a trusting relationship, recognizing the roles and skills needed for effective mentorship and discovering the power of a support system in helping achieve their goals, were clearly evident during this experience. “The Day of Mentorship allowed me to connect with my middle school and see how important relationship building is when working with middle school students,” notes participant Katie Fehrenbach. Spending the day on The University of Akron campus inspired a vision for higher education for these young people, along with providing an authentic professional development experience for the teacher candidates. 18
BUILDING OUR FUTURE Record Number of National Board Certified Teachers Recognized by UA Mentoring Program The University of Akron’s National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Support Cohort is pleased to announce that 17 area educators successfully completed their National Board Certification in November 2008. In this intensive professional development experience candidates have up to three years to successfully achieve National Board Certification. The University’s support cohort has been funded consistently by the Ohio Department of Education since 1997. The NBCT class of 2008 had the highest annual achievement rate since the mentoring services began, with an 85 percent passage rate for those who submitted both the portfolio and assessment pieces of the application process. This includes initial (first year) and advanced (second or third year) candidates. A reception was held on Feb. 5, 2009, to recognize the new National Board Certified Teachers. “It was good to develop a personal relationship with a student much like one I may be teaching someday.” – Adam Yoder, UA Mentor Since its inception, the program has mentored 315 Northeast Ohio teachers; 230 of which have become National Board Certified. This represents an overall programmatic achievement rate of 73 percent. With the addition of 175 NBCTs in 2008, Ohio reports a total population of 2,933 National Board Teachers. The University of Akron is pleased to have contributed nearly 10 percent of the total NBCT population gain in 2008. Barb Baltrinic, an Akron Public School Teacher for 35 years, was appointed as the new coordinator for the cohort in 2008-2009. Baltrinic is recognized for her exemplary ability to help the teachers in her small group achieve certification. She will join our student teaching and field experience office full time in fall. UA NBCT Class of 2008 (front row l-r): Kerilyn O’Brien, Jessica Stifler, Allison Morris, Melissa Jacot; (second row l-r): Lani Banner, Martin Bach, Yvonne Culver, Amy Young, Amanda Accavallo and Susan Polly. The University of Akron Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 19
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