Appendix B: Mentorship Experience FAQ’s

1. Who is responsible for monitoring this and making sure I complete the requisites?
   1. Each doctoral student (and their advisor) is responsible for ensuring the mentoring requirement is fulfilled by the time of graduation.
   2. The program coordinators of either program will oversee the completion of requisites for students aiming to meet the mentoring requirement through each respective path.
2. What happens if I struggle to successfully complete the mentorship experience?
   1. If a doctoral student struggles with completing the mentorship experience, they should receive feedback at midterm to give them the opportunity to improve their practice. If they continue to struggle, they will receive an incomplete in the course, and the program coordinator and advisor will design a remediation plan, which will include repeating part or all of the mentorship experience.
3. Can I meet supervision competencies through other tracks/experiences, like teaching or a Research Assistantship?
   1. No. Although many of the competencies listed here could also be developed through course instruction, that is a separate requirement. It is important that competencies be developed over time, with repeated practice, and across contexts (e.g., mentoring and course instruction).
4. Can I mentor students as part of a fellowship or traineeship and also have it count for the mentorship requirement?
   1. No. Fellowships, which include traineeships funded through OSEP and the Graduate College, are funding packages that include stipends but do not require work in exchange for that stipend. Students funded by OSEP traineeships may have additional experiences required of them (e.g., contributing to a research lab, supervising students, teaching courses). These traineeship experiences cannot count for the mentorship requirement. You may not benefit twice from these and other programmatic experiences.
   2. For more information on fellowships and assistantships, see the Graduate College guidance.
5. Can I mentor students as part of an assistantship and also have it count for the mentorship requirement?
   1. No. Assistantships are funding packages in which students receive stipends in exchange for work (e.g., contributing to a research lab, supervising students, teaching courses). These assistantship experiences cannot count for the mentorship requirement. You may not benefit twice from these and other programmatic experiences.
   2. For more information on fellowships and assistantships, see the Graduate College guidance.

Mentorship Competencies Reflection and Discussion Guide

Name:

Date:

LBSI Competencies

Complete only if you are interested in completing the LBSI track. All competencies must be completed prior to completing the LBSI track.

☐ Yes   ☐ No      1. I have general knowledge of child development (early childhood through adolescence).

☐ Yes   ☐ No      2. I have some experience working in elementary, middle, or secondary school settings. (Teaching is preferred but work in related services positions can be considered.)

☐ Yes   ☐ No      3. I have knowledge of evidence-based practices and programs for K through 22-year-old learners, specifically those who receive special education services.

☐ Yes   ☐ No      4. I understand the teaching responsibilities of elementary, middle, and secondary teachers.

Evidence and comments:

ECSE Competencies

Complete only if you are interested in completing the ECSE track. All competencies must be completed prior to completing the ECSE track.

☐ Yes    ☐ No     1. I have knowledge of child development birth to 6.

☐ Yes    ☐ No      2. I have knowledge of ECSE recommended practices.

☐ Yes   ☐ No      3. I have experience in teaching preschool OR early intervention home visiting.

☐ Yes   ☐ No      4. I have knowledge of EI and ECSE systems of service delivery in the U.S. and Illinois.

Evidence and comments:

Mentoring Competencies

Think about the skills you already have and the ones you need to further develop and complete the rating scales below. Please be self-reflective and thoughtful when answering these questions. We expect that all these competencies will be addressed in whatever mentoring track you complete, no matter how you answer the items below.

1. I communicate effectively with mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little  ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
2. I navigate conflict productively with mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
3. I facilitate reflective practice with mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
4. I provide feedback to mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
5. I have an asset orientation toward mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
6. I model relevant practices for mentees.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
7. I equip mentees with strategies to think critically about the contexts in which they work.

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
8. I support mentees in valuing and prioritizing contributions to a shared community (e.g., classroom, school, program).

   Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

   Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot
9. I demonstrate commitment to continuous, bidirectional professional development.

          Amount of experience:            ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

          Amount of skill:                        ☐ A little   ☐ Some   ☐ A lot

Evidence and comments:

Summary of Committee Discussion

Plan

Track to be completed: 

Track 1: LBSI Program

Track 2: ECSE Program

Signatures