Comments on: DOs and DON’Ts – Mentoring Students in EI Programs

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:51:33 +0000

Thanks, Mary! I’m so glad to hear that your students are benefiting from the resources on our site. You make an important point about seeing the EI process firsthand. EI can be a difficult professional to explain because it’s so unique. Most students haven’t experienced an intervention visit in a natural setting before so they probably don’t have a frame of reference. There is nothing quite like joining a visit and seeing intervention in action!

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:45:55 +0000

In reply to Cori Hill.

I agree that the time spent working with a student is great professional development for the early interventionist. And it’s a nice plus that the time counts for recertification too!

By: Mary Voorhees

Mary Voorhees — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:05:35 +0000

This is an important topic to me as someone who teaches in an ECSE program and also supervises students in their early intervention placements.

One thing that I feel has helped prepare the students in our program for their early intervention placements is to require them to complete some of the excellent online modules that can be found on the Virginia EIPD site. Students are required to complete the Child Development and Family-centered modules in the first ECSE class they take (Foundations of Teaching Young Children). Prior to student teaching, they must also complete the Service Pathway module. I have also found that it is helpful for the students to review materials on the Virginia Infant and Toddler Connection website for families that explains early intervention.

However, even with this background knowledge, students have shared with me that that they do no truly understand the steps in the service pathway until they have the opportunity to experience these firsthand. The support and mentorship that local Infant and Toddler Connection staff provide for preservive students is invaluable! It is these experiences that motivate students to pursue positions in early intervention.

I would love to hear other ideas from local ITC providers about ways we can help prepare students for their EI placements.

By: Cori Hill

Cori Hill — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:21:02 +0000

Thanks for including this topic. As someone who supervises students in a graduate ECSE program, I often find that early interventionists are reluctant to take students. They are easily frustrated when students come with often very limited EI knowledge (What’s Part C?)As Dana mentioned, what I find is that when an early interventionist DOES take a student, it provides them with an opportunity to brush up on their skills. Nothing like being asked, “Why?” or “How?” to make you think about your own practices.

And, don’t forget that supervising students “counts” for recertification hours for most licensure programs in VA.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:55:04 +0000

In reply to Robin McWilliam.

Great point, Robin! Sharing some articles or pointing students to a good book or website could definately help them come to the experience more prepared. Your book “Routines-based Early Intervention” is a wonderful resource for new students (and us old-timers too)! 🙂

By: Robin McWilliam

Robin McWilliam — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:33:10 +0000

Is it reasonable, when making the appointment before that student walks in the door, to give him or her some background reading? That doesn’t preclude their still saying, “Wait–what’s Part C again?” But it might decrease the likelihood!