Teacher Mentoring Vital

Media Release July 18, 2007
From NZEI Te Riu Roa For Immediate Use

18.07

It’s vital that teachers at the start of their careers get the mentoring they need to develop and expand their skills, says NZEI Acting National Secretary Peter Monteith.

NZEI agrees with the findings of the Teachers Council survey of provisonally registered teachers (PRTs) , released today, which found that the levels of support for PRTs - those who are newly registered and who must undertake a two year advice and guidance programme - are uneven.

“The research confirmed the many ancedotal stories our PRT members tell us, and will be useful in advocating for improvements to the induction system in the education sector” says Mr Montieth,

“There are already many good programmes in place for these PRTs , and we are working with the Ministry of Education on getting better support and recognition for the advice and guidance programmes so that there is time and resourcing available for schools and centres to advise and guide their PRTs”, says Mr Monteith.

“Beginning teachers need induction programmes that are well resourced and supported, and mentors who have the appropriate skills to provide that support. Induction into the profession is important, because new teachers play a critically important role, and we can’t afford for talented people to leave, burn out or become disenchanted with teaching because they didn’t get enough support in their first two years on the job.”

The research found that most schools and centres do provide good mentoring by tutor teachers, with most reporting a strong collegial relationship between new and more experienced teachers. In the early childhood education sector, however, fully registered teachers are not always available to carry out the mentoring, he says.

PRT teachers on fixed-term contracts are a concern.

“If a teacher is only employed for a few months, it makes it very hard to give them the quality advice and guidance they need. NZEI believes that PRTs should not be used as relieving teachers, or on trial periods. Teaching is all about building relationhips, and teachers need to be able to feel the sense of achievement and satisfaction that comes from being part of the school or centre, and feeling committed to it.”

ENDS

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