ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a practical overview for teacher educators and those working with supervisors in schools and districts. Content includes recommendations for hands-on professional development activities and learning experiences designed to strengthen the skills and critical thinking of supervisors. Teacher mentors might also engage in similar efforts to reflect on their histories and backgrounds within a course or a professional development experience. Reflections on personal histories result in mentors that are better poised to pose questions and prompt thought among beginning teachers that encourage in-depth explorations of teaching practices. Student teaching and/or practicum experiences may serve many purposes. An obvious purpose is to provide preservice teachers practical experience under the guide of a mentor. Mentors, as teacher educators, are encouraged to engage with other professionals at the state or local level through explorations of educational research and its applications to classrooms.
