Working effectively with your mentor

Abstract

This chapter provides knowledge and understanding of how teachers can work effectively with their mentor to support their development as a teacher. Most beginning teachers want a mentor who provides them with a steady introduction into the realities of teaching, in a real classroom with real pupils. The term ‘mentor’ highlights a role which includes a professional role model but also provides moral support; a mentor supports teachers in both a professional and personal capacity throughout their school placement. An experienced mentor balances instructional support and psychological support. Miller-Marsh argued that a good interpersonal relationship with a mentor is crucial to a beginning teacher’s development. This relationship is built by two strangers who come to the relationship with a different viewpoint, but who have to quickly build trust and respect for one another in developing their shared responsibility in supporting the mentee’s development.