Teachers enhance skills in pilot project

Eighteen Manawatū teachers have enhanced their ways of teaching this year as part of a new project.

The Lead Associate Teachers Pilot Project was set up by Massey’s College of Education this year to enhance and extend the abilities of associate teachers as mentors and role models for student teachers.

An associate teacher is a teacher who provides mentoring, professional support and guidance for student teachers while they are working in schools.

This year’s project included 18 associate teachers from six schools in Manawatū - Milson, College Street Normal, Kumeroa-Hopelands, Takaro, Central Normal and Linton Camp schools.

The project is also aimed at strengthening the relationship between Massey and schools.

Milson School deputy principal Tracey Morritt, who took part in the project, says it has made her a better mentor for student teachers.

“I grow from having students in my classroom,” she says. “This project is all about being more self reflective and more aware of yourself and your grad student. [During the project] you were open about your faults and the things you need to get better at.”

At the start of the project associate teachers chose a mentoring skill to develop as they worked with student teachers.

Mrs Morritt chosen to focus on improving her cultural competency, which is about learning how to acknowledge children from different backgrounds, skill levels and behaviour.

Dr Alison Sewell, programme leader of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary), says the pilot was a success.

“The only way to grow exceptional beginning teachers is by universities and schools working together,” she says. “It’s one thing to say we value the unique contribution that each makes, but it’s another thing to live it, and this project has made tremendous inroads in doing that. I’m excited to be part of the project. What we have started here is the beginning of a new way of working in teacher education.”

She says three associate teachers have enrolled for postgraduate studies next year as a result of the project.

The project will continue next year to reach a wider group of primary school teachers.