Mentor teachers have a significant impact on pre-service teachers. Unfortunately, mentors are often underprepared for their role, and thus, the potential learning from a student teaching experience is not maximized. Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University provides training to mentors who host pre-service teachers during their…

A survey to determine why student teachers fail and what can be done to improve teacher education is discussed. Five factors of failure are identified: classroom management and discipline problems, inability to relate well with students, poor teaching methods, lack of commitment to the profession, and personal characteristics. (MLW)