WHOLE SCHOOL MENTORING

The Faculty of Education has turned a practical problem into a benefit for student-teachers and mentor-teachers.

To prepare for the double cohort entering this September, the Faculty began deliberating several years ago on how it would secure enough quality teaching placements for the student-teachers to complete their professional practicum requirements. One of the solutions proposed by Dr Tammy Kwan, Assistant Dean for School-University Partnerships, was a new collaborative approach to the teaching practicum that is now benefiting both student-teachers and the teachers and schools who mentor them.

Rather than having a single student placed with a single school, she proposed whole-school mentoring. This involves placing several student-teachers from different subject backgrounds with a school, where mentor-teachers are assigned to guide them in their practice. The students are encouraged to sit in on classes outside their area of specialisation and talk to teachers of other disciplines and experience levels to get a more holistic exposure.

The scheme is intended to not only give student-teachers a broader understanding of teaching and administrative duties, but also prompt all teachers in the school to reflect on their own teaching.

"We want them to see it as a mutual learning opportunity," says Dr Kwan. "The students get authentic experience and practicum, while teachers can take it as an opportunity to further strengthen their professional development."

Frank Chin, who completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Education in 2012, said the approach enabled him to sit in on classes outside his speciality of geography, which was particularly useful given that teachers in Hong Kong secondary schools are often asked to teach more than one subject. He also found it helpful that he was encouraged to talk to and learn from teachers of different seniorities in the practicum school.

"The more experienced mentors were more focused on teaching ability and how you perform in the classroom. But the less experienced novice teachers were eager to share their difficulties and thoughts on how to cope with the school environment. They gave me useful tips on managing the classroom," says Frank.

Whole-school mentoring was implemented in 21 Professional Partnership Schools as of September 2012 and Dr Kwan said they were hoping to expand the numbers in the coming years.