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Mentor Centers

As participants in the TSBVI Mentor Program, TTU and SFASU students and protégés qualify for a trip to Austin to observe experienced VI professionals at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and in the Austin Independent School District. Learn more here.

Mentor Centers provide participants an opportunity to observe experienced TVIs and COMS as they use a variety of strategies and materials with students on the TSBVI campus. Each participant will have the opportunity to observe between 4-6 individual VI professionals a day. Participants can come to a maximum of two Mentor Centers. TTU/SFA students who do not hold a VI or O&M position can come only once, then once again when hired as a COMS or TVI.  A hotel room for 2 nights will be paid for by the mentor program. If you live over 225 miles away, you may be available for partial or full flight reimbursement. In order to be reimbursed, you will be required to get previous approval from Chrissy Cowan, Mentor Coordinator.

Audience

Protégés matched with a TVI and/or COMS mentor through the TSBVI Mentor Program and Texas students currently enrolled in the Texas Tech University or Stephen F. Austin State University VI/O&M programs who do not have a mentor.

Learning Objectives

  • Observe visually impaired students in a variety of learning environments.
  • Keep a record of materials and strategies observed.
  • Apply strategies and materials to their own students.
  • Connect theory learned in coursework to actual situations in the field.

Mentor Center Schedule & Registration

  • October 22, 23, 24, 2023 (Registration ends Oct. 8)

TSBVI Professional Development Online Registration for October 2023 (link opens in a new window)

  • February 4, 5, 6, 2024  (Registration ends Jan. 19)

TSBVI Professional Development Online Registration for February 2024 (link opens in a new window)

  • May 5, 6, 7, 2024 (Registration ends April 21)

TSBVI Professional Development Online Registration for May 2024 (link opens in a new window)

Questions? Please contact:

Chrissy Cowan, TSBVI Statewide Mentor Coordinator
cowanc@tsbvi.edu
512-206-9367