TEXT, an acronym for Teaching Excellence Team, is a partnership
Avila University maintains with over 170 specially trained mentor teachers from 26 school districts in the
Kansas City metropolitan area. Working with these professionals, we help develop excellent, qualified
teachers through Avila’s education program.
Why is there a need for TEXT?
Becoming a TEXT Mentor
Outcomes of TEXT
Application and useful downloadable documents
Contact Mrs. Ann West, Director of Field Experiences
Office: Room 909 Foyle
Phone: 816-501-2432
Email: Ann.West@Avila.edu |
What do students say about TEXT? |
“I felt that my mentor was a highly effective teacher. She has a mastery of [the] subject area
in which she teaches, and she can manage her students extremely well in the classroom environment.
It was a pleasure to watch and experience her as an educator.”
“For me, this placement was probably the best thing that could have happened to me in
terms of deciding what I want to do with my life. The students were so friendly, diverse and fun. The
teachers were easy to talk to, full of useful information, and made me feel really welcome.” |
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Why is there a need for TEXT?
Many teacher education students are completing degrees and receiving certification without being adequately prepared to meet the needs of students representing a variety of backgrounds. Many graduates of teacher education programs may not have developed through their experiences a familiarity with a variety of teaching settings (urban, suburban, and rural). This situation often leads to fewer teachers with the proper preparation seeking teaching positions in urban and rural areas.
Through TEXT, students at Avila begin their first educational experience in TEXT practicum with two diverse placements within their field of interest (by grade level and curriculum area). This allows the students to discover if they are truly interested in teaching as a career and to discover the rewards and challenges of teaching in various settings.
Within TEXT practicum, professional mentors provide a role model for excellent teaching and receive assistance from the practicum students who are encouraged to observe and serve as a paraprofessional in each of their five, full-day placements (serving a total of 10 days with two different mentors). Graduate Certification students serve their practicum at one site for five full days.
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Becoming a TEXT Mentor
As a mentor, you will prepare undergraduate education students for multicultural urban, suburban and rural classrooms to increase the success rates of students in each of these settings and to broaden the experiences of undergraduate education students to include a variety of settings in their teacher education, from initial experience in the classroom to the final selection of the professional teaching site.
TEXT Mentors' Responsibilities
TEXT Mentors may serve in some or all of the following roles:
- Mentoring a TEXT Practicum student.
- Allowing the Practicum student to assist with extra duty assignments.
- Discussing your view of education, your philosophy, and your beliefs about teaching strategies, and sharing some of your experiences with your Practicum student.
- Completing an evaluation of your student’s practicum experience with you.
Contact Ann West at Avila University at 816-501-2432 if you have any questions in regard to your responsibilities or concerns about your student.
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TEXT Downloadable Documents
Below is a list of useful downloadable documents. (PDF Files)
» What is TEXT?
» Mentor Application
» Principal Evaluation Form
If downloading a form, complete and mail them to :
Ann West, Director
Avila University
Foyle 909
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Contact Ann at 816-501-2432 or
E-mail Ann.West@Avila.edu.
TEXT is a partnership Avila Education Division maintains with over 170 specially trained mentor teachers in 26 public, parochial and private school districts in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
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