Instructors applying to teach core basic, population specific, on-the-job, residential care administrator, nurse delegation core, and nurse delegation specialized diabetes trainings may, as part of the meeting the teaching requirements, have 40 hours of experience teaching basic training while being mentored by an instructor who is approved to teach basic training (WAC 388-112A-1240, WAC 388-71-1055 ). Currently approved instructors may mentor those interested in becoming approved instructors in the future as described below.
These guidelines explain the definition and expectations of a mentor and the mentoring relationship.
Mentoring Terms
- “Being mentored” means the mentee receives guidance, direction, and feedback from an approved core basic instructor who has directly observed a minimum of 40 hours of the mentee’s formal core basic teaching experience. The mentor is expected to approve the mentee’s teaching plan and any skills demonstration prior to instruction, and afterward meet with the mentee to debrief and provide the mentee opportunity for self-assessment and reflection as part of the ongoing cycle of instructional improvement.
- “Mentor” means an approved core basic instructor in good standing with the department who demonstrates adult education teaching techniques, provides guidance and direction, approves the mentee’s teaching plan, directly observes the mentee’s instruction, and provides feedback.
Mentoring Expectations
An effective mentor will be skilled in the principles of adult learning and able to model instruction for the mentee using these principles. Beyond the skills of instruction, a mentor will model integrity and adherence to training protocol and policy and the overall standards of excellence the department expects of instructors in facilities and in the community. Mentors will help guide their mentees through understanding these policies both inside and outside of the classroom.
- Approve mentee’s teaching plan: Before a mentee instructs, the mentor will review and approve the mentee’s teaching plan.
- Observe mentee’s demonstration of skills: Before a mentee instructs, the mentor will observe the mentee’s ability to demonstrate any skills that will be part of the instruction.
- Debrief the training session: After the mentee has taught, the mentor will debrief with the mentee about how the training session went, offer opportunities for self-assessment and reflection, and provide feedback.
The mentoring relationship is an ongoing process of continuous improvement and feedback to help prepare new instructors for success.