Induction & Mentoring Workshop Massey University 23 November 2009

1. Induction & Mentoring WorkshopMassey University23 November 2009

4. New Zealand Teachers Council • 11 members • 4 appointed by the Minister, including the Chair • 4 elected by registered teachers – 1 from each sector and 1 from principals • 1 each nominated by NZEI, PPTA, STA • supported by a staff of about 40 people

5. Functions of the Council • Provide professional leadership • Encourage best teaching practice • Determine standards for teacher registration • Approve and monitor teacher education programmes • Identify research priorities • Promote the code of ethics for the profession • Maintain register of teachers • Exercise disciplinary functions

7. Graduating Teacher Standards (2007) The Graduating Teacher Standards describe what a teacher at the point of graduation from an initial teacher education programme: • will know, • will understand, • will be able to do, and • the dispositions they will have that are likely to make them effective teachers

8. Learning to teach is a career long process But the first two years of employment as a teacher can be the ‘make or break’ years. Research reports increasingly are telling us that teacher learning in these two years of induction is not supported consistently well throughout the profession:

9. ‘I found my first year overwhelming. It was satisfying, exhausting, stressful and fun all at the same time.’ (Beginning teacher) ‘I was never treated as an apprentice.  Instead, I felt highly valued by my team which lifted my confidence.’ (Beginning teacher)

10. No systematic programme of advice and guidance, and no documentation relating to visits, observations, discussions or use of 0.2 release time. The faith the tutor teacher has in the beginning teachers is essential to the success of the beginning teachers. I have enjoyed my first years of teaching immensely and have found my passion for teaching, learning and children has flourished.

11. National Programme of Pilots for Induction & Mentoring • Four pilots plus evaluation 2009-2010: • Early childhood education (NZK) • Primary, intermediate schools (Auckland University) • Secondary schools (Massey) • Māori medium (Awanuiārangi) • Evaluation (Martin Jenkins)

12. What is being piloted? Draft Guidelines for induction of PRTs and for mentor teacher training and support www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz Models developed by each contractor for effective training and support for mentor teachers (and induction of PRTs)

13. The period of moving towards full acceptance into the teaching profession is seen by the Council as the most critical way of influencing the quality of teaching and learning in New Zealand But we need a good evidence base to develop good policies

14. What needs to happen next? • Council: • publish, communicate, (train) pilot findings & finalised guidelines • Professional leaders: • know impact of good / bad induction on PRTs • know how to support PRTs and mentor teachers within ‘learning focused’ community • Government / unions: • how to use and allocate resource most effectively • how to incentivise mentors’ skill development • Providers of PD • learning programmes / qualifications for mentors