Essentials of Effective Mentoring Series


This module series will expand on the Foundations Series with a deepening of understanding regarding the critical aspects of the mentoring relationship and process. In this 8 module series, mentors will be supported in their professional growth with continued knowledge and understanding that will serve to maximize their effectiveness. 

To access the module series, contact your School Coordinator or Jodie Li at edmentor@ualberta.ca.


Fostering Effective Relationships (Part A)

In this module, you will take a deeper look into the various relationships a pre-service teacher is exposed to and how these relationships can contribute to an integral and supportive environment consisting of fairness, respect and integrity while demonstrating empathy and a genuine caring for others inside and outside of the school environment.

In addition to the relationship between mentor and pre-service teacher, the relationships with staff, administration, students, parents and other agencies within the school also provide much needed support for today’s pre-service teachers. Within this framework, mentors can provide culturally appropriate and meaningful opportunities to support student learning.

Fostering Effective Relationships (Part B)

In this module, you will take a deeper look into the various components of providing pre-service teachers with an opportunity to see inclusive opportunities within the classroom.

Within each school setting there are many opportunities for pre-service teachers to develop their skills by using different tools and strategies. Within this framework, mentors can provide culturally appropriate and meaningful opportunities to support student learning.

Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge - Planning and Instruction

In this module, you will continue the journey towards a deeper comprehension of the Alberta Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) by looking closely at the first two sections, Planning and Instruction, and Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge. The focus will be on the underlying principles that guide the planning and instruction process and apply across the whole range of programs of study from K-12. You will be encouraged to look beyond the current grade levels and subject areas that you are teaching in order to gain a broader insight into what the TQS requires.

The process of engaging with the course content will help you articulate your understanding of these concepts. It will also provide a strong foundation for your efforts to assist pre-service teachers to develop the critical thinking skills they will need when they are required to develop their own planning and instructional strategies for future classrooms.

Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge - Assessment and Evaluation

In an ever-changing world, the accepted practices around assessment involve, and make it difficult to stay current with what is expected of a teacher. Assessment and evaluation are critical components of K-12 education to gauge student progress, identify areas of improvement and make informed instructional decisions. Discussions around the validity of formative and summative assessments, differentiation, standardization, curriculum alignment, and more continue in schools. Flexibility, adapatability and a student-centred approach seem to be current themes.

This module will not follow a direct-instruction format that outlines the right way to evaluate and assess in every situation. There are no easy answers. Instead, you'll be asked to deeply consider some questions. Your own experience and expertise will be invaluable as you interact with the course content.

Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments

This module provides a deeper look into the various components of providing pre-service teachers with an opportunity to see and practice inclusive approaches within the classroom.

It begins by grounding the concepts of Inclusion and Differentiation within Alberta’s Framework. We then provide a few relevant examples of classroom structures and practices that support inclusivity. Our discussion then turns to the learning imperative faced by pre-service teachers.

Within each school setting there are many opportunities for pre-service teachers to develop their skills by using different tools and strategies that support inclusion, and mentors can provide culturally appropriate and meaningful guidance.

Foundational Knowledge of First Nation, Métis and Inuit

This module provides information and resources to assist teachers in developing and applying foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students. In this module, you will examine the historical, social, economic and political implications of treaties, agreements and legislation (including residential schools), and discover resources that accurately reflect and demonstrate the strength and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

You will also learn how to support student achievement and provide opportunities for all students to develop knowledge of, and respect for, the histories, cultures, languages, contributions, perspectives, experiences and contemporary contexts of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Engaging in Career-Long Learning

This module is designed to introduce you to valuable guidance, resources and best practices that support you to effectively mentor pre-service teachers as they develop the attitude and skills that support career long learning.

You will be introduced to a number of tools and strategies that support skill development. You will also be provided with guidelines and approaches for meaningful learning support.

Adhering to Legal Frameworks

This module focuses on TQS Competency 6 and what it means in the ocntext of working with and evaluating a pre-service teacher. It is important that mentor teachers are familiar with legislation that affects the work of teachers and that they are able to guide pre-service teachers in becoming aware of what this will mean in their own career development.

Laws, regulations and policies affecting the teaching profession come from federal, provincial, school division and school authorities. Education is primarily a provincial responsibility, which means that each province will have somewhat different ways of organizing teaching and learning. This module will highlight some of the most important and common legal requirements encountered by teachers, but each teacher is responsible to learn and follow the specifics that apply to their own unique situation.


After the series...

Once you have completed all eight modules - and your mentoring assignment - you may choose to move on to the next step in your academic journey, the graduate course EDU 595 Essentials of Effective Mentoring, within the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Mentoring and Leadership.

Learn More