The Torace Platform was created to capture rich information about participants and theirs needs and wants in order to make the best matches possible. In our blog article, How to Make the Best Mentor Matches with Torace, we explain the 3 different types of information we use to make the best mentor matches. The first and most easy way to make a match is using Torace Pools.
We use the term Torace Pools to describe the categories for matching needed to make a match. The categories for matching can be dictated by government or credentialing laws, local institutional protocol, and/or unique program needs. In a typical student teacher placement process, the categories for matching are usually the certification areas. A student pursuing an elementary teaching credential would need to be placed with a mentor teacher that also teaches elementary grades (see Example #1). If the student is also pursuing a bilingual certification, then they might need to be matched with a teacher in an elementary grade that teaches a bilingual class (see Example #2).
Torace Pools are very flexible and can reflect any type of matching needs. Torace Pools are set up as check boxes when a participant completes their Torace Event Profile and the Event Administrator can set the limit for how many boxes a participant can check. This allows for various types of categories of matching within the Torace Pools. In Example #3, you will see how an EPP in California created two categories within the Torace Pools, Credential and Grade Span. A student would select the credential they are pursuing and then the grade span they prefer to work with and the mentor teacher would select the credential they currently hold and teach and the grade span they currently serve.
Torace Pools are used to initially filter and guide matches. In order to make the best matches, we also recommend using Characteristics and/or Preferences to provide more robust information about participants and what they are looking for in a match.
Here are some examples of the Torace Pools used by clients:
Example #1 - A small midwestern school district:
Grade K-3
Grade K-5
Grade 4-9 ELA
Grade 4-9 Math
Grade 4-9 Social Studies
Grade 4-9 Science
Grade 7-12 Integrated Language Arts
Grade 7-12 Integrated Math
Grade 7-12 Integrated Social Studies
Grade 7-12 Integrated Science
Grade 7-12 Computer Science
Grade 7-12 Business-Technical
Grade 7-12 Communications/Media
Example #2 - A large northwestern school district:
Elementary K-3
Elementary 4-6
Elementary Music
Elementary Special Education
Junior High-English Language Arts
Junior High-Social Studies/History
Junior High-Mathematics
Junior High-Science
High School-English Language Arts
High School-Social Studies/History
High School-Mathematics
High School-Science/Biology
High School-Science/Chemistry
Secondary Healthy & Physical Education
Secondary Music – Choir
Secondary Music – Band
Secondary Music – Orchestra
Secondary Special Education
Secondary Visual Arts
Example #3 - A small EPP in California:
Credential: Multiple Subject
Credential: Bilingual Authorization
Credential: Single Subject Biology
Credential: Single Subject Chemistry
Credential: Single Subject English
Credential: Single Subject Foundational Math
Credential: Single Subject Foundational Science
Credential: Single Subject Math
Credential: Single Subject Physics
Credential: Single Subject Social Science
Credential: Single Subject World Languages
Grade Span: Elementary
Grade Span: Middle School
Grade Span: High School
Torace is also being used at various educational non-profits so Torace Pools can be fully customized to meet to any type of program needs.
If you would like to learn more about Torace or how to match using Torace Pools, please schedule a quick demo today!
