New mentoring guidelines build confident teachers

New mentoring guidelines build confident teachers and learners

“New induction and mentoring guidelines will evolve how mentor teachers build the confidence, satisfaction and expertise of New Zealand’s newest teachers and their learners,” said Teachers Council Director Dr Peter Lind today.

The innovative guidelines are being launched tonight by the Minister of Education, following extensive research on what it takes to learn to teach, and a national pilot programme across Māori medium, early childhood, primary and secondary schools.

“Teaching is complex – both emotionally and intellectually. Quality mentoring in the first two years helps new teachers develop the knowledge and skills required to teach diverse groups of learners and handle different teaching situations,” said Dr Lind.

“The Teachers Council’s new guidelines will help shape the future of a beginning teacher’s professional learning, by encouraging mentors to go beyond providing emotional support and advice.

“Mentor teachers will learn to become teacher educators, skilled in accelerating the professional learning and expertise of new teachers.

“The pilot programmes that trialled the draft guidelines showed that comprehensive induction and mentoring brings huge gains for both teachers and learners,” said Dr Lind.

Secondary Pilot Director Colleen Douglas summarised the essence of good mentoring.

“If you have a provisionally registered teacher who feels supported, who feels that they’re growing in their job, that they’re learning, that feels excited about teaching and learning, then it’s got to be good for the kids in their classroom.”

The Teachers Council is running a national workshop programme for professional leaders and senior mentors from July – November 2011.

The workshops will help provide tools on developing a high quality mentoring programme to schools, kura and early childhood services. Visit http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/prt/InductionandMentoringworkshops.stm and www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz for more information.

ENDS