Mentoring on the Move: Western Educators travel to Bruce-Grey District
November snowsqualls were no match for the warm welcome extended to Jennifer Hunter and Kathy Hibbert by the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board. The two educators were invited to Hanover to conduct a full-day session on a topic championed by Western's Faculty of Education: Building culture and communities that support mentoring: From NTIP to Principalship. The Ministry of Education has provided school boards in Ontario with funding this year to support the Ministry's New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP).
For the past few years, Dr. Hibbert, Director of Continuing Teacher Education, has researched and developed print materials and web resources aimed at creating a school culture that supports mentoring in partnership with two local boards: the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board. Case studies have been highlighted from the literature and generated from our own research with Ontario teachers. Principals and teachers have used the materials to stimulate discussions at staff meetings, to create and conduct meaningful and purposeful dialogue in Professional Learning Communities, and to envision new ways of integrating and sharing their mentoring responsibilities toward helping our new teachers and new leaders thrive in the profession.
Modeling the mentor/mentee relationship, Dr. Hibbert and her mentee Jennifer Hunter, treated Bruce-Grey's new teacher 'mentees' and their 'mentors' to an active day of learning, role playing, reflecting and generating important 'next steps' for their return to the schools.
To order FREE print copies of the booklet Building a Culture that Supports Mentoring in Schools: Tips and Ideas for Teachers and Principals, contact us at: Continuing Education or 519-661-2092. Provide the name of your school, a full mailing address and the number of booklets you need.
