teachertodisciple

Teachertodisciple is a term used to describe a mentorship approach in which a teacher or mentor guides a learner through a process of skill acquisition and reasoning toward independent practice. The model emphasizes long-term relational engagement, iterative feedback, and authentic tasks that progressively build competence.

Origin and usage: The expression is used in educational discourse to emphasize the transformation of a learner into a capable practitioner or disciple under a guiding figure. It is not a formal, universally defined theory, but rather a descriptive concept applicable across domains such as education, professional training, and spiritual or ethical development.

Core components: explicit goals and milestones; modeling and observation; guided practice with fading support; reflective dialogue; collaborative problem solving; assessment through authentic tasks and portfolios; ongoing mentorship beyond initial instruction.

Practice and settings: Applied in classrooms through apprenticeship-like routines, in studio or hands-on environments, and in coaching relationships. It can be adapted for near-peer teaching, where more experienced students mentor newcomers.

Relation to other concepts: closely related to mentorship, apprenticeship, coaching, and the master-apprentice tradition. It shares emphasis on social learning, identity formation, and sustained engagement.

Limitations: Requires clear boundaries to avoid dependency and power imbalance; equitable access; cultural sensitivity; and alignment with institutional goals.