Queensland children will continue to have the best learning environment at their schools with the state’s newest teachers being given more support to improve their skills in the classroom from 2015.
Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek today congratulated more than 500 teachers who completed their first round of training to become mentors for beginning teachers.
“The Mentoring Beginning Teachers program is a key part of the Government’s $537 million Great teachers=Great results action plan to elevate teaching standards and improve student performance across the state,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Our primary focus is the results of our children and giving them the best possible start to their education and this program equips our teachers with the support and practical advice they need to be the best they can be.
“Our experienced teachers will spend up to two hours per week with new recruits in the first 12 months of their teaching careers.”
“It delivers on our election promise to revitalise frontline education services, where Labor ignored them for so long.”
Mr Langbroek said in the last month more than 500 high-performing teachers attended 19 workshops delivered by a team from the Queensland University of Technology which developed the training program.
The team, led by the university’s Faculty of Education Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) Professor Nan Bahr and Associate Professor Peter Hudson, introduced the participants to a six stage mentoring model aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
“Importantly, this mentoring program recognises best practice and formalises experienced teachers’ roles as mentors in time for the school year and the feedback has been extremely positive,” he said.
Mentor Ms Louise Kliese from Indooroopilly State School said the two-day workshop had provided excellent guidance.
“I feel empowered to support our graduates to have a smoother and sustainable start to their teaching career,” Ms Kliese said.
Another mentor Ms Amanda Graham from Edge Hill State School agreed, saying the observation, reflection and feedback session gave her particularly useful direction and guidance.
“I walked away feeling inspired and excited about this new professional component of our job,” Ms Graham said.
Mr Langbroek said 64 teachers had also nominated to become online mentors to support rural and remote teachers and would undergo additional training in October.
“These mentors will play a particularly important role for new teachers in the more remote areas of the state who may not have anyone on the ground to turn to,” Mr Langbroek said.
“The extra funding under Great teachers= Great results will allow the mentors to spend up to 72 hours with a beginning teacher, observing and providing feedback and teaching tips.”
In some contexts one mentor may work with several graduate teachers across a number of schools, and schools will be able to work together to determine the best model of support they need.
The next round of training will be held in March 2015 for approximately 480 teachers. Expressions of interest will open in term 4.
For more information on the Mentoring Beginning Teachers program go to http://dete.qld.gov.au/great-teachers/