Media Advisory – 21 October 2010
Mentoring the Next Generation - top of mind on World Teachers’ Day
On 29 October leaders in education will gather on World Teachers’ Day to answer a crucial question - what does it take
to mentor the
next generation of teachers in New Zealand?
“The 2010 New Zealand Teachers Council conference will showcase the findings of an innovative national pilot programme
in induction
and mentoring of New Zealand’s newly qualified teachers,” says Director Dr Peter Lind.
“In their first two years on the job, new teachers work with experienced mentor teachers to develop their teaching
expertise.
“The fact we’re expecting a full house tells us leaders in schools and early childhood education (ECE) are strongly
invested in quality professional development for their newest teachers.”
Dr Lind says conference participants will be fortunate to hear the perspective of internationally renowned scholar and
keynote speaker, Professor Marilyn Cochran-Smith from Boston College, USA.
Her address, titled A Tale of Two Teachers: Perils and Possibilities in Learning to Teach will focus on the important
issue of induction and mentoring for new teachers.
Cochran-Smith says “teaching is rightly regarded as an intellectual activity and when it is acknowledged that teachers
are motivated, at least in part, by love of learning, then it becomes clear that what is needed are more opportunities
for teachers to work with others in learning communities; raise new questions about students, subject matter,
assessments, equity and access...”
“Teaching is complex – both emotionally and intellectually. Mentoring helps beginning teachers to develop the learning,
knowledge and expertise required of teachers,” says Dr Lind.
“The focus of the pilots is on mentoring the next generation of educators to build them into confident and satisfied
teachers.”
Video presentations of the keynote speaker, induction and mentoring pilots and panels will be available on our website
www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz from early November.
ENDS