Partnering with the School of Education

Public School Teachers Partnering with the School of Education at Ferris State University

PK-12 Mentor Teacher Resources

Ferris State University partners with PK-12 schools to provide pre-student teaching apprentices and student teaching interns with essential field experience. These placements are so impactful for our students.  Thank you for being part of the process.  

Our goal is to establish long-term relationships with our partner districts that are mutually beneficial for all. We are proud of the ways our students contribute positively to student achievement in our partner schools by boosting literacy interventions and assisting with a variety of essential student supports as they learn and grow in their host classrooms.  

 We welcome highly qualified mentor teachers to join us in the training of new teachers.  Mentor teachers must meet the following criteria: 

• Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience in a PK-12 school
• Certified and teaching in the appropriate subject area and grade level
• Recommended by the principal or other district administration

Ferris offers a variety of resources to support our mentor teachers.  A comprehensive list of resources is available below.  Please reach out to one of our field placement coordinators for additional information.  

General resources for all: 

• SCECHs are available to all mentor teachers.  Reach out to Hollie Stephenson for this form and directions for completing it.  
• FSU partner schools can take advantage of free professional development provided by our faculty. Click here for a full list of current offerings.  
• Consultation with university faculty and staff to design placements that meet each school’s unique needs.  
• Orientation Zooms held in August and January for new and existing mentor teachers. 

For those supervising student teaching interns: 

• Student Teaching Guide 
• Student Teaching (EDUC 499) placement overview 
• Attend student teaching orientation with your intern. Dates, time and locations will be emailed prior to the start of each semester.  
• Read Coaching and Mentoring First Year and Student Teachers by India J. Podsen and Vicki Denmark.  This brief guide provides lots of useful tips and is the basis for our support program. You may borrow a copy by reaching out to your field placement coordinator.  

For those supervising pre-student teaching apprentices:  

• Pre-Student Teaching Guide 
• Small group literacy (EDLA 411/421) 30 hour placement overview 
• Whole group literacy (EDLA 431) 40 hour placement overview 
• Lower/upper elementary advanced methods (EDXX 419/429) 80 hour placement overview 
• Secondary intermediate methods (EDLA 338) 40 hour placement overview 
• Secondary advanced methods (EDLA 438) 80 hour placement overview 

 

Please reach out to Hollie Stephenson ([email protected]) or Jeff Bean ([email protected]) for support or information anytime.