Information – Mentors
Overview
This UC Denver National Science Foundation grant provides eight Fellowships for mathematics (4) and science (4) graduate students to enrich their research and teaching experience through partnerships with math and science educators in local Middle Schools. Graduate student fellows will participate as active members of a learning community while working collaboratively with middle school teachers and STEM faculty supervisors. This Fellowship provides graduate students, who are committed to becoming academic professionals in higher education, with the opportunity to increase their knowledge about student learning and effective teaching practices, improve their communications skills and convert their respective science and mathematics research interests into classroom interactions which will enhance K-12 science and mathematics curriculum.
Commitment
The time commitment for the faculty mentor for this project involves: (1) partnering with a Fellow/TELC for a full year (2) serving as a resource person within their department for the assigned Fellow and Partner Teacher and TELC (3) being available to meet with or speak with the Fellow at least weekly or as needed to provide guidance on good teaching practices, inquiry, scheduling, organization, etc. (4) observing the Fellow in the classroom setting at a pre-arranged time, at least once per semester (5) having a role in the initial training workshops and monthly or bimonthly meetings with the Fellows, Partner Teachers and project Staff in order to receive information regarding the progress of the program and its participants. These meetings require approximately 8 hours per semester (6) The Faculty Mentor will help complete and deliver assessment instruments as part of project evaluation.
Mentor Stipend and other benefits
The NSF grant provides each participating mentor with a stipend of ¼ month salary during the summer. In addition, there is ¼ month salary release during the academic year.