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Mentor Teachers

Introduction

Mentor teachers are classroom teachers who serve as school-based teacher educators supporting the professional learning of teacher candidates in UGA teacher education programs. They play a key role in our programs and students’ learning, whether they are supporting traditional or job-embedded teacher candidates.

Across our programs, mentor teachers host observations, teach model lessons, offer rigorous clinical coaching, and open their own classrooms to support teacher candidates engaged in practicum and clinical semester/student teaching experiences. UGA mentor teachers demonstrate intentional, responsive teaching, keen professional reflection, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth and learning. The below sections offer a glimpse into the work of a mentor teacher while also celebrating the impact they have on teacher education and learning.

Section 2

Mentoring guidelines

The links below provide mentor teachers with key policies and guidelines for their work with teacher candidates across a variety of placements.

Clinical coaching resources

The following resources provide mentor teachers with resources designed to assist in coaching teacher candidates as they build their pedagogical skills and practices.

2025-26 Mentor Teacher Recognitions

The Office of Clinical Practice recognized the following mentor teachers in the last academic year for outstanding service to programs:

  • Maura Burke (ESOL)
  • Carlin Jay (ARED)
  • Teresa Johnson (WFED)
  • Laura Payne (EDMG)
  • Beth Pittman (EE)
  • Amy Powers (EMAT)
  • Carmen Ruiz (TWLE)
  • Hilary Sanders (ESOC)
  • Christina Spears (ESCI)
  • Russ Warden (HPE)
  • Melissa Webb (AGED)
  • Katie Williams (EMUS)
  • Leah York (ESDE)
  • Elsa Zuniga (EDEL)
  •  

Section 3

Professional learning

The Office of Clinical Practice offers various professional learning opportunities for mentor teachers working with UGA teacher candidates.

  • 2026-27 Mentor teachers professional learning calendar (coming soon)
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Celebrating excellence

We are honored to work with exemplary mentor teachers and work to recognize them across the academic year.

2026 UGA Mentor Teacher of the Year

Russ Warden

The 2026 UGA Mentor Teacher of the Year is Russ Warden, a Health and Physical Education teacher at J.J. Harris Elementary School in Clarke County. Coach Warden has served as an exemplary mentor to multiple teacher candidates in the UGA Health and Physical Education program across his 21 year career in education. He was recognized as the J.J. Harris Elementary teacher of the year in 2024 where he helped to open the school in 2009.

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