Mentor Information
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a mentor for the VI/O&M Mentorship program? Learn more about the process, requirements, and commitments of mentorship below.
"Working closely with a new TSVI will help me refresh my own practices, challenge my assumptions, and get a new enthusiastic perspective on the field."
VI/O&M Mentor Qualifications
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)
Mentor Application Process
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
- recommendation form from a co-worker
- recommendation form from a current supervisor
- recommendation form from the ESC-VI consultant in their region
- documentation of VI-related in-service training and/or workshop attendance within the past 3 years
Contact Courtney Forman for these documents if you are interested in applying.
VI/O&M Mentor Responsibilities
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.
Time Commitment
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
Mentor Training
Each mentor will be required to attend mentor training. The mentor program provides lunch on both days of the training, and hotel accommodations for participants who are outside a certain distance from Austin.
Interested in becoming a mentor?
Please contact:
