PSMLA Peer Mentoring Program

Program Overview

The Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) Peer Mentoring Program is designed to support novice world language teachers while simultaneously recognizing and further developing teacher leadership among experienced Pennsylvania world language educators. PSMLA members with fewer than three years of teaching experience are invited to apply to be mentees. Mentor applicants are also expected to be PSMLA members and should have at least eight years of experience teaching a world language. Applications are accepted through June 30 in order to match mentors/mentees for the following school year.

Program Goals

Support novice world language teachers in the development of successful communicative language teaching practices;
Support teacher retention efforts;
Recognize and elevate the presence of world language teacher leaders;
Introduce novice world language teachers to PSMLA and encourage a continued relationship with the organization, its leadership, and professional learning community.

Benefits for Mentors

Complimentary registration for PSMLA’s Annual Fall Conference during mentorship;
A free publication to guide and inform mentor-mentee discussion and practice;
Formal recognition as a teacher-leader directly to school superiors, the PSMLA community, and beyond;
A certificate of professional development hours;
Act 48 credit for professional development service;
Leadership experience as a mentor working with novice world language educators;
Collaboration with a community of educators committed to enhancing world language instruction in the state of Pennsylvania;
Opportunities to work with and network closely among world language leaders from Pennsylvania.

Benefits for Mentees

Complimentary registration for PSMLA’s Annual Fall Conference during mentorship;
A free publication to guide and inform mentor-mentee discussion and practice;
Formal recognition as a mentee committed to improving practice sent directly to school superiors, the PSMLA community, and beyond;
A certificate of professional development hours;
Act 48 credit for professional development service;
Support, advice, coaching, and motivation from an experienced world language educator;
Collaboration with a community of educators committed to enhancing world language instruction in the state of Pennsylvania;
Opportunities to work with and network closely among world language leaders from Pennsylvania.

Expectations

Peer Mentors are expected to work collaboratively to develop strategic, observable, and measurable goals to support mentees in the development of effective and sustainable communicative teaching practices. Mentor/Mentee pairs will establish personalized goals at three intervals during the year-long fellowship and will evaluate and reflect upon their success at the end of each interval.

Peer Mentors are asked to stay in regular communication with each other and document the form and frequency of their contact. Specifically, mentors and mentees should log at least one synchronous contact (virtual or in-person) each month. In addition, virtual meetings will be held periodically for all program participants to encourage deeper connections, facilitate a broader exchange of ideas and experiences, and further orient members to program expectations.

While most interactions throughout the program can be conducted virtually, mentors and mentees are expected to attend the PSMLA Fall Conference in-person and engage in program-specific session(s).

The PSMLA Peer Mentoring Program expects a year-long commitment from both mentors and mentees. Mentees that have successfully engaged a year of mentorship, however, will have the opportunity to extend their participation an additional year if desired to be partnered with an additional mentor.

Timeline

How to Participate

Applications are accepted through June 30. Mentor/Mentee pairs are established during the summer in order to begin as of the Virtual Program Kickoff Meeting in late August. To apply, follow the appropriate link below:

Mentee Application

Mentor Application

Questions?

Please direct any questions you may have to Dr. Rich Madel at rmadel@colonialsd.org.