Mentor Recognition Principles
The General Mentor (ITT Mentor) or Professional Mentor provide evidence of achievement of the key concepts and skills required in mentoring. The documentation will record roles and responsibilities as well as the development of core skills in mentoring and coaching. It should not involve additional work but provide a means to formalise and recognise the processes that teachers are already engaged in.
The framework contains performance criteria, exemplars or good practice, checklists and guided reflection suitable for both Effective and Advanced Mentors. You can use it to establish your current level of performance and set targets for your continued personal development, or for example, to assist in performance management/appraisal.
To receive LJMU professional recognition:
- Mentors need to complete the Mentor Recognition proforma and submit it to their Professional Mentor (Effective Mentor) or Head teacher (Advanced Mentor) for review. The reviewer can peruse the evidence and have a discussion with their colleague regarding their progression and the impact mentoring a student teacher has had upon this. The reviewer captures this conversation in the form in a short paragraph and proposes that their colleague should be considered for the Effective or Advanced Mentor Recognition Award.
- A member of the LJMU team, usually Andrea Mallaburn (ITT Partnership Lead) or Debbie Duncalf (MA AEP Programme Leader), reviews the document and captures this on the form. If they are in support of the mentor receiving recognition for their exceptional work supporting a LJMU teacher in training, they will recommend the processing of the form at university.
- Mentors need to have attended core mentor training. This will apply to all mentors, including those with experience, to enable them to keep abreast of developments in ITE at LJMU;
- Teachers who are new to mentoring will also need to attend a "new mentor" training session, which is offered at the start of each academic year.