"University Mentors Teacher Preparation Program (Part-Time, Academic Year 2025-2026)"

Position overview

Position title: University Mentor

Salary range: Candidate Mentoring: $600.00 per candidate
Additional Site Stipend: $100.00 per additional school site
(applies when three or more observations are completed at that site and duties include more than one location)

Anticipated start: As early as August 2025 for Fall 2025
As early as January 2026 for Spring 2026

Position duration: Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026

Application Window

Open date: May 20, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, Nov 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Division of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) - UC Merced

The Teacher Preparation Program (TPP), housed within the Division of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of California, Merced, invites qualified applicants to apply for Part-Time University Mentor positions for the 2025-2026 academic year.

We seek experienced educators with a demonstrated commitment to teaching and a strong background in mentoring or supervising teachers or teacher candidates. The number of positions available each year is determined by programmatic needs. These are part-time, semester-based contract appointments. Reappointment, if applicable, is based solely on instructional demand and program need.

University Mentors are responsible for providing high-quality mentorship and supervision in accordance with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) standards and the expectations of the Teacher Preparation Program. Mentors must adhere to all documentation and reporting deadlines required by the program and the University.

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in scheduled mentor meetings (typically twice per semester)
• Attend a mandatory orientation and training session
• Conduct a minimum of six (6) classroom observations per teacher candidate during TK-12 public school hours (primarily mornings)
• Complete and submit all required observation reports and candidate documentation by designated deadlines
• Maintain consistent, weekly communication with candidates via in-person meetings, phone calls, video conferences, and/or email
• Collaborate with PACE staff in coordinating candidate placements at approved local TK-12 school sites, as needed
• Provide programmatic orientation to mentor teacher candidates and school site leaders; maintain ongoing communication with district personnel
• Demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of effective mentoring and supervision practices (e.g., cognitive coaching, adult learning theory, culturally relevant pedagogy)
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Education Programs, Assistant Director of the Teacher Preparation Program, and Credential Analyst to support candidate progress
• Participate in program evaluation and feedback processes based on student evaluations; engage in professional development as recommended for continuous improvement
• Complete required UC trainings, including:
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
  • Cybersecurity Awareness
  • Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Prevention
  • UC Ethical Values and Conduct
  • Workplace Violence Prevention
  (Approximately 2 hours total; satisfies requirements under 2 CCR 11024, Government Code 12950.1, AB 1825/2053, 34 CFR 668.46 [VAWA], and UC policy)

Job Location:
TK-12 school sites in Merced, throughout California, and within a 50-mile radius of the University Mentor's geographic location.

Program: https://teacherprep.ucmerced.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Possession of a valid California Clear Credential
  (A terminal degree, such as an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in a related field, may be substituted for the California Clear Credential)
• A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience in the content area relevant to the teacher candidate's placement
• Recent professional experience in TK-12 school settings where the curriculum aligns with California's adopted content standards and frameworks

Preferred qualifications

• Experience observing and coaching pre-service teachers in TK-12 school settings
• Experience conducting one-on-one advising sessions with teacher candidates via Zoom and/or in person

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Teaching
• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
  'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

3 required (contact information only)