There is a lot of reflection necessary. SI-MAT interns are provided with an extensive support network to assist in understanding and coordinating their dual roles. Each intern is assigned a mentor within the schools, although they have the opportunity to meet with other mentors and observe different teaching styles throughout the year. As various classroom situations occur, specialists are brought in to cover related theories. Specialists are also recruited for such subjects as language and social studies.
Interns gain the most support from each other.
Some is structured, such as the peer observation Dunn conducted for Leslie. The two discuss for a few minutes some of the more difficult moments in the lesson, particularly when one student became upset and teary-eyed. Underneath the formal review, the underlying elements of friendship and teamwork are evident. The peer reviews, the lesson plans, the research and other materials created in the program, such as daily progress jour-nals, as well as samples of students' work and letters from parents, are compiled in portfolios developed by each intern. The interns have to present evidence that they are meeting SI-MAT's objectives, so portfolios are the vehicle for documenting their research and teaching experience throughout the year.