Mentor Evaluation of Professional Behaviors & Dispositions & Recommendation for Demonstration Teaching
Students must secure a positive evaluation and recommendation of their demonstrated professional behaviors and dispositions in order to apply and participate in demonstration teaching (DT).
It is important students demonstrate the ability to interact with diverse populations in a professional and respectful manner that is aligned to expectations in the field of education. It is critical for students to understand that their demonstrated actions and behaviors with their mentor (or any other WGU staff member or coursework submissions) could positively or negatively affect the Mentor Evaluation of Professional Behaviors and Dispositions and the required Recommendation for Demonstration Teaching.
WGU Teachers College students are expected to demonstrate professional and ethical values, attitudes and traits (professional behaviors and dispositions) that are associated with effective teaching. These professional behaviors and dispositions foster the positive relationship that effective teachers build with students, parents, professional colleagues, and communities to promote student success. WGU students are expected to demonstrate the following professional dispositions:
- Caring and considerate
- Affirming of diversity and cross-culturally competent
- Reflective practitioner
- Equitable and fair
- Committed to the belief that all students can learn
- Collaborative
- Technologically proficient
- Professional leadership
In addition to these eight dispositions, students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior in all interactions (written, verbal, and non-verbal) with other WGU students, WGU mentors and staff, as well as those they encounter in the field.
Mentors will evaluate their students on key demonstrated behaviors they have observed over time as aligned to the Teachers College Code of Ethics, Professional Behaviors and Dispositions (opens new window). The Mentor Evaluation of Professional Behaviors and Dispositions is an important Teachers College accreditation requirement. Excessive low marks in an evaluation will prompt the Teacher & Principal Success team to contact the mentor and student to provide an opportunity for remediation and support.
If a mentor is unwilling to provide a positive Mentor Evaluation of Professional Behaviors and Dispositions or recommend their student for demonstration teaching, the student will be counseled into an appropriate non-licensure program. If a student wishes to appeal the non-recommendation for demonstration teaching, they may appeal by writing to teachersuccess@wgu.edu.
A copy of the survey that mentors complete is shown below.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Instructions to mentors: Please reply to the following statements regarding your student. My student:
Choices: 0= Not observed, 1= Needs Improvement, 2= Meets Standard, 3= Exemplary
Caring and Considerate
- Shows interest and enthusiasm during calls and in emails when appropriate
- Demonstrates concern, care and compassion for others
- Demonstrates tolerance and awareness of others' feelings
Affirming of Diversity and Cross-Culturally Competent
- Shows sensitivity to diversity issues in course work and during conversations with WGU staff
- Demonstrates an understanding that education crosses all demographics, philosophical ideologies, and religious backgrounds
Reflective Practitioner
- Demonstrates an understanding and the importance of reflection when faced with task revisions, evaluator and/or mentor feedback
- Accepts responsibility for mistakes or actions
- Modifies actions after feedback
- Makes sound, logical decisions
Equitable and Fair
- Does not interrupt or cut off others
- Demonstrates respectful verbal and written communications with WGU staff
- Exhibits adaptability, flexibility and acceptance in dealing with change
Committed to the Belief That All Students Can Learn
- Expresses a positive attitude about others
- Expresses a positive attitude about the teaching profession
- Expresses a sense of excitement about teaching and interacting with students in the classroom
Collaborative Professional
- Faces problems realistically
- Works cooperatively with mentors and WGU staff
- Accepts guidance and constructive feedback to improve coursework
Technologically Proficient
- Demonstrates proficient use of technology with WGU portals, learning resources, and communities
Professional Behavior and Communications
- Demonstrates self-control and expresses frustrations constructively
- Demonstrates responsibility and dependability by keeping scheduled mentor appointments or rescheduling as needed
- Demonstrates self-confidence
- Demonstrates professional behavior in all interactions with WGU students and staff
This section is for initial licensure programs ONLY that require a mentor recommendation to proceed to demonstration teaching.
WGU students must secure a recommendation from their mentor in order to proceed to demonstration teaching and transition to the status of “teacher candidate.”
- Did you conduct the demonstration teaching interview with your student? (Yes / No)
- When did you conduct the demonstration teaching interview? (MM/DD/YYYY)
- Do you recommend your student for demonstration teaching? (Yes / No)
If no was selected, please explain your reason for not recommending your student to demonstration teaching. Understand that students have the opportunity to appeal to the Dean of the Teachers College if they do not receive a mentor recommendation.
To review the rubric explanation click here: Mentor Evaluation Rubric (opens new window).
Article Number: 20485, 2653
