Who is qualified to be a VI and/or O&M mentor?
VI teachers (TVIs) and Certified O&M specialists (COMS) are qualified to be mentors if they have the following:
- commitment to serve as a mentor for two years
- four years of experience as a VI professional
- good communication skills
- solid understanding of the professional field
- written administrative approval and support
- current A.C.V.R.E.P. O&M certification (COMS only)
What is the process for becoming a mentor?
Mentors may be self-nominated or nominated by either their school district or the VI staff of their local ESC.
All applicants must submit the following documentation:
- application for VI/O&M mentorship (DOC) (PDF)
- recommendation form from a co-worker (DOC) (PDF)
- recommendation form from a current supervisor (DOC) (PDF)
- recommendation form from the ESC-VI consultant in their region (DOC) (PDF)
- documentation of VI-related in-service training and/or workshop attendance within the past 3 years
What will a VI/O&M mentor do?
Each mentor/protégé team will be issued a contact log that lists activities or topics that should be covered over the course of the mentor assignment. Contact logs are shared with the Mentor Coordinator to provide a statewide, global view of what is being worked on by the mentor/protégé teams. Mentors will not be asked to provide grades or evaluations.
What time commitment is involved in being a mentor?
In general, mentors will be teamed with their protégé for two years, assuming that the protégé is employed in the educational sector as a VI professional.
Interaction Formats
The mentor and the protégé may interact through a variety of different methods, including (but not limited to):
- personal, face-to-face meetings
- telephone conversations or conference calls
- video demonstrations or observations
- online meeting such as Zoom
- sending each other products/resources (articles, materials, kits, books, etc.)
- “shadowing” of the mentor by the protégé
How will mentors be trained?
Each mentor will be required to attend mentor training. Completion of an online module is required prior to attending the training. The mentor program will pay for all expenses for the mentors to participate in the training.
Interested in being a mentor?
Please contact: