In 2011, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) received an Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant through the U.S. Department of Education. UAF applied for the grant to expand the predominantly rural-serving Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP) to urban settings. ASMP is a professional development initiative that supplies fully released, highly…

Inspired by Donald Schon's work "Educating the Reflective Practitioner" (1987), the authors create virtual worlds using an approach combining video technology and the case teaching method. This article describes two video series, "Mentoring the New Teacher" and "Becoming a Star Urban Teacher," aimed at enhancing the…

Describes partnership efforts between the Richmond Public Schools, Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University that have focused on the needs of urban schools. Describes challenges that remain with regard to preparing teachers, mentoring beginning teachers, and retaining experienced teachers. (SLD)

Some urban teachers are marginal teachers who are beginning to internalize a sense of hopelessness about their effectiveness. The characteristics and skills of potential mentors to help marginal teachers are discussed, and salient points to consider in establishing a model for mentoring marginal teachers are reviewed. (SLD)

As dispensers of information, mentors can support teachers through career stages from recruitment to retirement. This article explores mentorships as transferable transactions. This concept is particularly valuable in urban areas, where teachers unacquainted with physical and cultural conditions may replicate the practices of seasoned mentors.…

Teacher mentors in urban schools need particular characteristics to promote development in beginning teachers because the urban school is a unique environment. Urban mentor teachers need to be able to articulate their beliefs and practices, and they need well-developed coaching skills. (SLD)

Focuses on the mentoring of beginning (preservice) mathematics and science teachers in classrooms with large populations of bilingual students or students for whom English is a second language. Mentors can play a crucial role in preparing preservice teachers to instruct language minority students. (SLD)

Summarizes the mentoring component of a large federally funded partnership project, the Urban Teachers Project, which is designed to support future urban teachers. Twenty-four minority teachers served as mentors. Recruitment and selection of mentor teachers, typical mentor-student activities, and student attitudes are described. (SLD)