TESC Capstone Mentor?

[SweetSecret]

I'm feeling overwhelmed. I am FINALLY signing up for my capstone course (much thanks to the Dept of Vocational Rehab who paid), but I am clueless which mentor to select and it seems many of the mentors haven't been reviewed before. If anyone can provide feedback on these options I would be grateful! I'm listing all the instructors teaching the capstone this term, even if the course is filled, just in case I can waitlist into the class or somehow finagle my way in...

Thanks!

Options

M. Herrera (closed) - guided study
D. Longenbach (open) - guided study
D. Wiley (closed) - online course
A. Sinding (open) - online course
D. Weischadle (open) - online course
G. Caicco (closed) - online course
N. Chawla (open) online course


P.S. I did look on RateMyProfessor, but most don't seem to be listed or have very few reviews - except Ciacco whose course is closed.

[SweetSecret]

Of the open classes I was starting to lean towards Chawla, but I just came across this which has me worried that she'll be really tough... which honestly I'm going through a lot right now and can't be dealing with a ton of criticism. I wish TESC gave instructor grading reports like that though! I may still register with her, but it just makes me uneasy... like she might be too hard to satisfy.

[Puttlesbridge]

Nina Haydel is wonderful. I took her for my capstone and my son is taking the capstone with her now. Her class starts every 3 months so her next class would start in January.

[happydayruth]

I was planning to start my TESC capstone in January, but I waited too long to register and now the options that I would have preferred (Caicco or Wiley) are no longer available. So I think I've decided to wait and register for a January class. I've heard very negative things about Weischadle so I don't advise choosing him.

[Ladyplf]

I had Amy Laptad, she was very hands off and uninterested with my problems when I asked her questions. I found a great capstone example here in the forum and followed that. I got good grades even though I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing and I don't feel I fully understood the assignments. I would recommend Laptad if you know what you want to write about, and know how to write it, and don't need any guidance from her besides grading your paper.

[derek12538]

I would not place as much stock in the mentor, as much of the curriculum of the capstone is self explanatory and manageable on your own.
Yes, it will take some thought and effort. But, you have made it this far and will be able to have success.
Focus on getting off to a fast start on the first few assignments (especially chapter 2) and the rest will be fine.

[SweetSecret]

I don't have the option of waiting until January to register. Since DVR is paying I am supposed to show them proof of registration within 30 days of the date I received the check (Sept 29th). The only other thing I could think is to enroll now, & then see if TESC would let me wait until January to start with a preferred mentor.

[SweetSecret]

Just an FYI incase anyone else needs to register, the class sizes for some of the preferred TESC Capstone mentors seems to have expanded (i.e. from a limit of 5 to limit of 15 students), so there are open seats available in the class. I managed to get in with a mentor I'd read good things about.