Undergraduate
Aspire InstituteEducator Mentor Corps
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Overview
The Educator Mentor Corps (EMC) is a volunteer network of skilled, experienced educators who provide high quality mentoring to new teachers in the greater Boston area.
Over the next several years, nothing will demand greater attention from schools districts than new teacher development and retention. High levels of retirement among veteran teachers, coupled with staggering attrition rates among those new to the profession, will present school districts with an unparalleled human resource challenge.
Within this mounting challenge, Wheelock College sees a unique opportunity to collaborate with school districts and community partners, such as the Boston Teacher Residency program, to revitalize the education workforce. Through the EMC, Wheelock will mobilize the skills and experience of successful educators to prepare, inspire and retain those entering the field.
Goals
- To enhance the professional skills of new teachers
- To improve new teacher retention, particularly in urban school districts
- To promote public policy that fosters quality community service in support of education
Strategic Partners
Wheelock College
With its 120-year history as one of the nation's premier teacher education institutions, Wheelock College is well positioned to collaborate with school districts and community partners to lead this initiative. In addition to expertise in education policy, research and teacher preparation, Wheelock College draws on the following strategic assets:
- Strong, long-standing relationships with the Boston Public Schools and other local school districts
- Faculty with expertise in teacher development, mentoring and high-need skill areas, such as special education and English language learners
- A large, active network of skilled education alumni who live within the greater Boston area and are interested in volunteer service
Wheelock also supports the EMC through:
Educators-in-Residence
EMC mentors serve as Wheelock Educators-in-Residence, and become part of a professional learning community with access to free college and continuing education courses, and other campus benefits. Educators-in-Residence can also serve as guest lecturers, develop their own workshops, and participate in research and policy initiatives.
Ongoing Support
Wheelock provides EMC mentors with faculty-led mentor learning teams and seminars in high-need skill areas (e.g. SPED and ELL).
Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) Program
The nationally recognized BTR program recruits and trains talented, committed people to teach in Boston. During the year-long program, teacher residents work side-by-side with supervising teachers in BPS schools and complete a specialized curriculum. BTR graduates earn a Massachusetts Initial Teacher License, a master's degree in education, and credit toward a dual license in special education. BTR graduates are placed in BPS schools and provided with a range of induction supports. As part of these supports, the BTR will partner with the EMC to train mentors and match them with graduates during their first few years in the classroom.
School Sites
The EMC is a school-based, collegial model in which host schools view EMC mentors as professional colleagues and integrate them in school-wide professional development and instructional improvement efforts.
Who Should Apply?
We seek both experienced Wheelock alumni educators and other educators who have an interest and passion in mentoring new teachers. Specifically, we are looking for educators who:
- Have 10 or more years of teaching experience, especially in Boston and/or other urban areas
- Live within or can travel to the greater Boston area regularly
- Have served as mentors previously
- May be retired, near retirement age, or working part-time
- Are committed to working with teacher mentees 1-2 days per week during the school year
- Can participate 1-2 days per month during the school year and 3-5 days during the summer in a learning community, meeting with other Corps members, BTR induction staff, Wheelock facult, and staff from host schools
How to Apply
Please complete the Online Application and send your resume to aspire@wheelock.edu.
