How to mentor meaningfully

Our vision for the teaching profession is simple but powerful: teachers who are well supported, properly resourced and culturally responsive. And at the heart of that vision lies mentoring, says Lawrence Mikkelsen, PPTA Te Wehengarua national executive member.

 Launching PPTA’s new Mentoring Guidelines at Annual Conference, Lawrence said effective mentoring helped teachers be the best they can be.

Guidelines for change

 “It lifts the quality of teaching across a school, strengthens staff relationships, and yes - even saves money in the long run. But too often, mentoring has been left to goodwill, squeezed in without time, training, or support. These guidelines are about changing that.

 “And at their core are values we all know matter deeply: whanaungatanga - building strong, respectful relationships; tika - acting with integrity and fairness; manaaki - caring for each other; and always keeping the ākonga at the centre.

Research-based

 “These guidelines draw on what research already tells us - that the key to successful mentoring is genuine relationships, built on trust, clarity, and mutual respect. Or, as we like to say, a mana-enhancing approach: practices that are relational, inclusive, restorative, and purposeful.”

Louise Ryan, establishing teachers’ coordinator for the PPTA Te Wehengarua Tāmaki Makaurau region, told conference delegates that mentors of beginning teachers are a lifeline.

“Mentors are people we turn to with the big or small question. The ones whose offices we might shed a tear in or celebrate a win with. They are the teachers who make sure their colleagues grow and strive in this profession. It’s a role that continues long after our PCT years.”

Providing firm foundation

Louise said she entered the teaching profession during an incredibly shaky time. “I trained in 2020 and was a first-year teacher in 2021. So, I am a fully certified Covid teacher.

“I spent two thirds of my first year of teaching, which is already a very stressful time, figuring out Zoom and how to engage students online. What got me through this time was a supportive mentor who made sure I knew she had my back at all times.

“I am now in my fifth year teaching and I’m still learning and still growing but I have an incredibly solid foundation because of my amazing mentor.”

PPTA Te Wehengarua mentoring guidelines