Outdoor Instruction Mentoring Program

Teach Outdoors! Minnesota is offering up to 20 mentorship opportunities for PreK-12 teachers. Each mentorship will work to develop and enhance outdoor instruction through guidance, role modeling, and educational resources.

Purpose: To build teachers’ own comfort levels and skills teaching and managing classes outdoors, under the guidance of a seasoned mentor.

Outcome: Mentees will lead students outside for one more lessons on their own during the 2021-2022 school year.

Each mentees will receive a $100 stipend at the end of their mentorship (April-June, 2022).

Who is Eligible?

Applicant must:

• Be a current PreK-12 classroom teacher (public, private, or charter) in Minnesota

• Have a desire to begin or advance outdoor instruction in their classroom

• Have little to no outdoor instruction experience in their current classroom

Teachers do not need to have a developed outdoor classroom to participate. Mentors can work on school grounds, nearby nature spaces, or other outdoor spaces.

Requirements

• Meet in-person with mentor for an initial school grounds/outdoor classroom walk

• Meet in-person or virtually with mentor a minimum of 3 additional times throughout the year

• Document outcomes. Provide documentation of outdoor instruction with students throughout the year (e.g. photos, student quotes, written statements, list of activities completed, etc.)

• Complete year-end evaluation to provide feedback on the program.

Timeline

Sept 30, 2021 - Applications period opens

October 20, 2021 - Application period ends. Applications are reviewed and rated

October 28, 2021 - Mentees receive notifications if accepted or not. Mentors and mentees will begin to plan their first meeting time.

April – June 2022 - Mentees complete the program. Each mentee will send documentation and stipend form to mentor and complete online evaluation.

Read the Mentoring Program Information page to learn more.

Apply To Be A Mentee

For additional questions please contact Karen Harrison, karen.harrison@state.mn.us

Mentoring Program Documents

Mentoring Program Information - This document provides all the details including requirements, selection process, and timeline.

Application Rating Form - Provides raters with a rating scale to help with the selection process.

Application Form - Use this online survey to apply for the mentoring program.

Interested in volunteering to be a mentor?

Read the Mentor Information and contact Karen Harrison for more details.

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