Revealing the professional learning needs of teachers for the successful mentoring of teacher candidates

Yilmaz G., Bıkmaz F.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TEACHER EDUCATION, vol.44, no.4, pp.538-554, 2021 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/02619768.2020.1777978
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TEACHER EDUCATION
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
  • Page Numbers: pp.538-554
  • Keywords: Mentor teacher, mentor teacher professional development, practicum courses, mentor teacher competency, pre-service teacher education, EDUCATION, ROLES
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the mentoring of teacher candidates throughout Turkey. In particular, the requirement for school principals and mentor teachers to attend mentor education programmes as specified in the Teacher Strategy Document (TSD) set forth by Ministry of National Education (MoNE). Therefore, the aim of the following study is to reveal the professional learning needs of teachers who are assigned as mentors. The authors framed the research issue by outlining the professional learning needs of mentor teachers from the perspective of mentor teachers, university supervisors and teacher candidates. This research took place at three state universities along with the associated practicum schools. It was revealed in the study findings that mentor teacher education programmes were designed around three primary themes: professional knowledge and skills, core mentoring skills and social qualifications.