The University of Houston-Clear Lake/Environmental Institute of Houston (UHCL/EIH) has been selected to be a Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching.  As a member of the Collaborative, UHCL/EIH will select 25 science educators to receive professional development and become a science teacher mentor (STM).

Below is a listing of the expectations for science teacher mentor participation:

• Attend evening meetings at UHCL, 3 hours in length
• Attend a minimum of 105 contact hours of professional development between July 2009 and July 2010.
  NOTE:  Professional development includes monthly meetings, workshops and summer institutes.  The evening meeting dates and the list of workshops being offered is attached along with required workshops for specific grades.
• Assist with the recruitment of additional cadre members (CMS)
• Mentor cadre members at your school or in your district when appropriate.

1. Release time, if necessary, to attend monthly meetings
2. Opportunity for STMS to share information with co-workers and other science teachers in their buildings
3. Mentor UHCL science methods candidates when appropriate and/or possible

Qualifications to become a science teacher mentor:

1. A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience or a minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience with a recommendation from your science department head or district science curriculum coordinator
2. Currently teaching science
3. Considered a leader
4. Willingness to share experience and knowledge with others (mentor CMS)
5. Two letters of professional reference (colleagues, science coordinator, principal, etc.)

STM Participants will receive:

1. 105 hours total of professional development in both content and pedagogy
2. Resources, equipment, and materials to be used at your school. (It is expected that the materials/equipment will be shared with others at your school, when appropriate, and will remain with you as long as you teach science. Upon your retirement, equipment/materials will either remain at the school or be returned to the EIH/UHCL collaborative.)
3. $1000 stipend
4. Travel funds, when appropriate

1. Professional development opportunities
2. $1000 STM Stipend upon completion of the 105 hours of required professional development