Definition of mentoring.

Mentoring is a working partnership between two people, in a similar field of work with many common shared experiences, working towards a common goal. The person delivering their knowledge and experience [mentor] works towards empowering a younger or inexperienced colleague [mentee] to become effective and productive in their chosen field of work. Effective mentoring supports and encourages people to maximize their potential by managing their own learning. An effective mentoring partnership allows for personal development and is an effective way of helping people to progress in their careers. As its potential is realized it is becoming increasingly popular. It is a working relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.

 

Why MEIST mentoring is important.

Mentoring allows the mentee to explore new ideas in confidence. An effective mentor can guide their mentee in the right direction and can help them to develop solutions to career issues.

MEIST mentoring enables teachers to reflect on their teaching practice in a collegial manner. As a means of collaborative Professional Learning, mentoring requires careful planning and effective implementation. This is so it becomes embedded into the culture of the school supported by design, given the uniqueness of each school environment.

 

Why MEIST mentoring is effective.

MEIST aims to connect mentees with independent mentors who can offer advice and guidance about work issues important to them; mentors who can help with self-development, suggest networking opportunities and empower mentees to make their own decisions and turn these into actions.

MEIST mentors have had similar experiences to those of younger or more inexperienced teachers and hence have great empathy and understanding of their work issues.

The relationship between mentor and mentee is one where the mentee becomes confident and more self aware of their skills and talents as well enabling them to take responsibility for their career choices.

 

The New Requirements for Teacher registration.

New Requirements for Teacher Registration state that from 2013, all teachers renewing their registration will need to provide evidence that they have completed 60 hours of Professional Learning linked to National Standards and they will also need to record 60 days of professional practice meeting the ‘Proficient’ career stage standards.

 

MEIST mentors will work with their mentee to ensure that their working relationship is beneficial to their Professional Learning and that it aligns closely with the AITSL [Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership] standards.

 

The benefits of MEIST mentoring.

MEIST mentors can assist with professional growth, offer Professional Learning and create networking opportunities to empower mentees to make their own decisions and turn these into actions.

MEIST mentoring can contribute towards the necessary Professional Learning as outlined by the New Requirements for Teacher Registration.

Mentees should also view this as an opportunity to learn skills which they can then impart to work colleagues or in the case of running their own Professional Learning seminars. This is a part of meeting the criteria for meeting the AITSL standards. The mentoring process can focus on one area of teaching or on a combination of many from the list below.

Areas of mentoring where MEIST can assist include:

• Course or lesson preparation
• Methodology and pedagogy
• Innovative teaching techniques
• Marking techniques
• Course and curriculum writing
• Generating teaching resources
• Differentiation
• Managing stress and workloads
• How to write comments for student reports

The outcomes of MEIST mentoring.

• Developing your teaching and learning practice
• Developing your teaching capacity through multiple sources of feedback
• Knowing whom to approach for assistance and support to improve teaching outcomes
• Accessing the facilities and resources needed to carry out your teaching responsibilities
• Establishing good working relationships with colleagues and school management
• Understanding the policies, guidelines and procedures of the workplace
• Establishing clear work goals
• Contributing and sharing your knowledge, skills and experiences with your colleagues
• Involvement in collaborative curriculum planning
• Access to a peer network
• Providing access to offsite Professional Learning opportunities to meet individual needs
• Understanding the role and work requirements

 

How to receive mentoring from MEIST

MEIST offers  mentoring with a personal mentor [subject to availability] in any Science or Mathematics discipline that the teacher requires from the subjects listed below:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Psychology
• Specialist Mathematics
• Mathematical Studies
• Mathematical Methods
• Geology
• Middle School Science
• Primary Science

MEIST mentors will work with teachers for 10 hours per term. The mentoring MEIST offers can be undertaken in any of the following formats:

• One on one personal mentoring for either 60 minutes per week
• Mentoring at various times to suit commitments of mentor and mentee for a total collective time of 10 hours per term. Cost is $90.00 per hour.
• Providing Professional Learning through the school for the Learning Area [subject to availability].

Enquiries and enrolment can be done via the webpage.  Applicants for mentoring will need to complete the application online. Applicants who are members will receive a discounted rate.

MEIST will reply with a contact person who can then talk to mentees or the school about their learning needs.

Please note, that numbers are limited for every mentor and subject to their availability and fill up very quickly.