EXCEPTIONAL MENTORING PROJECT

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EXCEPTIONAL MENTORING PROJECT

• Northeastern Illinois University
• Chicago, Illinois
• Alice C. Giacobbe, Ph.D.
• Sandra Beyda Lorie, Ph.D.

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EMP Mentoring Goals

• To provide all educators with opportunities to
  reflect on ways to improve teaching and learning
• To provide new and experienced special education
  teachers from varied locations the opportunity
  for social and professional networking
• To provide resources and conversation to support
  the transition from preservice education to the
  special education classroom

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Participant Demographics E-Mentees

• 14 undergraduate special education majors
• Final semester of course work
• Presently student teaching in special education
  settings
• 11 females
• 3 males
• 11 Caucasian, 2 African-American,1 Hispanic

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Participant Demographics E-Mentors

• 5 master level special education teachers
• All received masters degree from NEIU
• All have at least 3 years of experience teaching
  students with disabilities (range3 to 28,
  average 15 years)
• All females

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Participant Demographics E-Mentors

• Across all areas of exceptionality
• Across service delivery models (inclusion,
  resource, self-contained, residential, and
  daycare)
• Across grade levels

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E-Mentors Selection Process

• Met established criteria (master level teachers,
  NEIU graduates, experienced)
• Recommended by current faculty from the Special
  Education Department
• Final list was vetted by current faculty from the
  Special Education Department

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Participant Demographics University Personnel

• 2 faculty members from the Special Education
  department
• 1 support staff from the Deans office

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Conference Categories

• URGENT
• TOPIC OF THE WEEK
• SEEKING WISDOM
• TEACHERS LOUNGE
• 24/7 CHAT

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FUTURE PLANS

• Continue to host site throughout the summer
• Institutionalize with student teaching in the
  Fall of 2004
• Recruit additional mentors
• Assume web crossing license
• Refine web site components

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FEEDBACK FROM EMP PARTICIPANTS

• Informal feedback based on site postings
• Survey will be administered at mentoring reception

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QUESTIONS ?