Mentoring the Next Generation

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

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