Mentoring new teachers and introducing them to administrative skills

Abstract

This paper examined benefits of mentoring to the teachers especially the new teachers in the school system. The concept of mentoring was discussed vis-a-vis other related terms. The qualities of a mentor teacher were elucidated. How to start a mentoring programme as well as the four phases of mentoring relationship were fully highlighted and discussed. The “new teachers” to be introduced to administrative skills as identified by the paper are: those not trained in the teaching profession, those trained but entering into full time teaching for the first time, those trained teachers but not experienced in teaching (1 – 4 years) and those already teaching but found teaching uninteresting. The skills on which the new teachers can be mentored includes: school records keeping, class(room) management, teaching effectiveness and efficiency, school community relations, school plant management and evaluation and assessment of students. Benefits of mentoring to old and new teachers were highlighted. Mentoring is one of the best reforms in the education system and a very cost effective programme which will make the teachers to be the best they could in the school system and in the teaching profession.