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1 – 10 of over 9000Rachel Roegman, Emilie Mitescu Reagan, A. Lin Goodwin and Julia Yu
– The purpose of this paper is to examine mentor teachers’ approaches to mentoring preservice teachers in a yearlong teacher residency program (TRP).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine mentor teachers’ approaches to mentoring preservice teachers in a yearlong teacher residency program (TRP).
Design/methodology/approach
This multiple-methods study examined 15 mentor teachers’ approaches over the course of a year in an urban TRP through the lens of Wang and Odell’s (2002) framework for mentoring. Data sources included mentors’ self-assessments over three points in time across one academic year. These self-assessments included numerical ratings of practice (quantitative) as well as open-ended rationales and goal setting (qualitative).
Findings
Mentors predominately provided support and technical assistance to the residents learning to teach, drawing on humanistic, and situated apprentice perspectives on mentoring. They worked to develop residents’ self-confidence and exposed residents to a range of practices and school contexts. Glimmers of a more critical constructive approach were apparent in some mentors’ discussions of reflection and collaboration.
Research limitations/implications
This study informs the work of teacher education programs as they develop mentoring structures that align with program visions, expand notions of mentoring, and consider the many roles of a mentor teacher.
Originality/value
Increased emphasis on clinical experiences for preservice teachers highlights the need to attend to the practices of the mentor teachers with whom they work. These mentors, as field-based teacher educators, play a critical role in teacher education, and teacher education programs need to support their professional development as mentors. Understanding mentors’ approaches to mentoring is necessary in order to provide this support.
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Mark A. Tyler and William E. McKenzie
Mentoring as a tool for the support and development of novices in many organisations has been considered a putative success. Nevertheless, the literature reveals a paucity of…
Abstract
Purpose
Mentoring as a tool for the support and development of novices in many organisations has been considered a putative success. Nevertheless, the literature reveals a paucity of reporting of the mentoring strategies used within the policing profession within Australia. This paper aims to focus on what mentoring is and how it is deployed from the police mentor's perspective. This inquiry intends to shed light into this contextual gap by illuminating the mentoring experiences of 13 police officers from the district headquarters of a regional city in Southeast Queensland.
Design/methodology/approach
These officers, who presented with varying lengths of police service, were interviewed to ascertain their experiences of being a mentor, and to investigate whether they deployed what could be interpreted as a particular model of mentoring. Also considered were their perspectives and impressions of undertaking the role of mentor, their descriptions of how they mentored, and their preparedness for mentoring.
Findings
The interviews revealed a group of police officers that reported a belief in the mentoring process. Further, they considered themselves personally prepared for the role of mentor, and related this preparedness to either past experiences of being mentored, or past experience in the role itself. They placed little emphasis on formal training as a mentor, and more often than not, mentored in isolation. These officers rarely requested any collegial support from fellow mentors.
Originality/value
The data highlighted several implications for mentoring within the Queensland Police Service, one of which includes the effectiveness of the present formal preparation for mentors.
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Robert G. Hamlin and Lesley Sage
Most past research on formal mentoring has investigated its antecedents, outcomes and benefits with little attention given to what goes on inside the dyadic relationship. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Most past research on formal mentoring has investigated its antecedents, outcomes and benefits with little attention given to what goes on inside the dyadic relationship. The purpose of this paper is to explore the types of mentor and mentee behaviours that are perceived as critical factors contributing to either a positive or negative mentoring experience for the mentee and the mentor.
Design/methodology/approach
Concrete examples of “effective” and “ineffective” mentor and mentee behaviour were collected from the research participants using Flanagan's Critical Incident Technique (CIT). The obtained CIT data were analyzed using forms of open and axial coding. Variants of content analysis were then used for conducting a series of subsequent comparative analyses.
Findings
From a total of 187 coded critical incidents the study identified 11 positive and four negative behavioural criteria of mentoring effectiveness as perceived from the mentee perspective, and nine positive and three negative behavioural criteria of mentoring effectiveness as perceived from the mentor perspective. Comparisons against “theoretical” and “best practice” models and taxonomies of positive and negative mentoring reveal varying degrees of overlap and commonality.
Research limitations/implications
There are two main limitations. First, the number of research participants was at the bottom end of the typical sample range for qualitative research, which means the collection of critical incidents did not reach the point of data saturation. Second, the study explored the “start‐up” and “ongoing” phases of the mentoring lifecycle but not the “end” phase.
Originality/value
The findings provide new insights into mentor and mentee behavioural effectiveness within formal mentoring relationships, and thereby add to a sparse empirical knowledge base in this substantially neglected area of mentoring research. Also, they provide a foundation against which to compare and contrast future empirical research that may be conducted on perceived effective and ineffective mentor and mentee behaviours within formal mentoring relationships.
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Kat McConnell, Rachel Louise Geesa and Kendra Lowery
The purpose of this paper is to discover peer mentors’ perspectives of an education doctoral (Doctorate of Education) peer mentoring program implemented in a mid-sized public…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover peer mentors’ perspectives of an education doctoral (Doctorate of Education) peer mentoring program implemented in a mid-sized public institution.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from one focus group and an interview collected from peer mentors as part of a larger case study of mentors and mentees in a peer mentoring program for education doctoral students are presented. Four (n=4) peer mentors participated in a focus group (n=3) and an interview (n=1). Participants were asked about their perceptions of the program and their experiences as mentors.
Findings
Four themes were discovered within the data: mentors relate to social, emotional and academic life balances of mentees, mentors provide support and reassurance to mentees, mentors guide mentees to focus on the future, and mentors gain personal and professional growth from the peer mentoring program. Results indicated that mentors believed that the program was helpful for their mentees and beneficial to their own personal and professional development.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of this study include the small sample size (n=4) and the short period of time in which participants were asked to be a part of the mentoring program and reflect in focus groups and interview (one academic year). Implications of this study include the benefits of peer mentoring for both mentors and mentees alike.
Originality/value
In contrast to many other studies of peer mentoring programs, this peer mentoring program targeted scholar-practitioner students who were balancing full-time careers with their coursework and family lives. Thus, peer mentors focused more on career and work-life balance with mentees than mentors may in other programs, as well as finding benefit to their own professional development.
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This study aims to document students’ supply chain solutions developed through the internship hackathon program. The study profiled innovative solutions developed by university…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to document students’ supply chain solutions developed through the internship hackathon program. The study profiled innovative solutions developed by university students in Kenya to solve health supply chain logistics challenges during and beyond COVID-19. This is done by exploring students’ experience in developing sustainable logistics and supply chain management capacity-building programs in a low-middle-income country (LMIC).
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative approach to explore the experiences and perceptions of students and mentors who participated in a hackathon program. The study followed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, collecting data from the participants through online questionnaires. The data were analyzed and presented using thematic analysis and narrative techniques.
Findings
Findings provide preliminary evidence for narrowing the gap between theory and practice through a hackathon internship blended with a mentorship program. Assessment of this program provides evidence for developing solutions toward ensuring the availability of essential medicine in LMICs during a pandemic such as COVID-19 by students. The profiled solutions demonstrate a broader perspective of innovative solutions of university students, mentors and potential opportunities for a triple helix approach to innovation for health supply chain system strengthening.
Research limitations/implications
This original study provides evidence for advancing contribution to developing innovative solutions through partnerships between investors, universities and industry practitioners interested in mentoring students in the health-care supply chain during COVID-19 in LMICs. Specifically, contingency factors that affect the implementation of innovative programs during and beyond global pandemics such as COVID-19 by students’ innovators are identified, and implications for policy action are discussed based on the praxis of sensemaking.
Practical implications
This study examines a novel approach that combines internship, mentorship and hackathon projects for logistics and supply chain students in LMICs. The approach aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice and to create innovative solutions for essential medicines during and after COVID-19. The study urges more resources for supporting such programs, as they benefit both academia and industry. The study also argues that hackathon internship programs can help the logistics and supply chain industry adapt to the post-pandemic era. The study offers insights for investors, universities and practitioners in the health-care industry.
Originality/value
This study shows how to develop innovative solutions for the health-care supply chain during COVID-19 in an LMIC through partnerships between investors, universities and industry practitioners who mentor students. The study identifies the contingency factors that influence the success of such programs during and beyond global pandemics such as COVID-19 and discusses the policy implications based on the sensemaking praxis of the student innovators.
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Ronald J. Burke, Carol A. McKeen and Catherine McKenna
Examines benefits of mentoring relationships in organizations from theperspective of mentors. A model which included personal and situationalantecedents of mentoring, as well as…
Abstract
Examines benefits of mentoring relationships in organizations from the perspective of mentors. A model which included personal and situational antecedents of mentoring, as well as personal and organizational consequences of mentoring was developed, based on previous research findings. Data were obtained from 94 mentors employed in seven high technology firms using questionnaires. Support was found for the proposed research model. Mentor‐protégé similarity emerged as an important predictor of mentor functions. Proposes practical implications of the findings for organizations and future directions for mentoring research.
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Rachel Louise Geesa, Kat R. McConnell, Nicholas Patrick Elam and Ellie Clark
Education doctoral (EdD) students (mentees) typically hold full-time leadership positions in education-related fields while completing their degree. The types of support these…
Abstract
Purpose
Education doctoral (EdD) students (mentees) typically hold full-time leadership positions in education-related fields while completing their degree. The types of support these scholar-practitioners need is unique because of their focus on balancing full-time work, academic, and personal needs. This study aims to explore mentor support systems for mentees in their first and second year of the EdD program through a group mentoring program, which is designed to provide resources and access to mentors to promote successful degree completion in five years or less.
Design/methodology/approach
Mentors participated in monthly presentations and discussions with mentees throughout the 2018–2019 academic year, which were video recorded. At the end of the academic year, mentors partook in an interview or focus group meeting.
Findings
Themes emerged related to mentors’ focus on the dissertation process; emphasis on outreach for support; discussions and work/life balance; selection of presentation topics; perceptions of networking opportunities with mentees; desire to build stronger connections with mentees; and concerns/opinions about the mentoring format.
Research limitations/implications
The design of a mentoring program for EdD mentees varies throughout the doctorate degree pathway. Mentors support mentees in their doctoral journey through presentations and discussions about relevant topics during their first two years in the doctoral program. Additional studies are needed regarding EdD mentoring programs for students in the third year to the completion of the degree.
Originality/value
Few studies exist related to mentoring programs for scholar-practitioners in EdD programs. Results from this research provide EdD faculty and advisors insights to group mentoring and discussion topics for first and second year EdD students, based on the mentors’ perspectives.
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Mentoring is an essential tool for teacher education, not least because it allows knowledge and experience sharing. Research findings suggest a close relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
Mentoring is an essential tool for teacher education, not least because it allows knowledge and experience sharing. Research findings suggest a close relationship between mentoring and the well-being of those involved. However, little is known about this relationship or the mechanisms involved. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Through an integrative literature review, important links between mentor and mentee well-being and certain aspects of mentoring are explored. The results of the review are then synthesised into a theoretical framework.
Findings
The framework developed here posits that the well-being of teachers relates to the quality of mentoring. This includes teachers' perceptions of mentoring and their decision to get involved, their contributions to functional mentor–mentee relationships and the selection and use of mentoring styles that support both mentor and mentee well-being. Moreover, the framework hypothesises that the quality of mentoring received by mentees is related to their well-being, which is in turn connected to their professional development. Most of these relationships appear to be bidirectional, meaning that mentee well-being also contributes to mentoring quality and mentor well-being. Finally, it is hypothesised that the well-being of both mentors and mentees is connected to the school context in which the mentoring takes place.
Originality/value
This work provides a novel, comprehensive framework for future examinations of the connections between well-being and mentoring. It synthesises the prior work on this topic by integrating findings from both the mentor and mentee perspectives into a single framework.
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This article considers the benefits for students, industry mentors and organisations of a trial mentoring project completed by the School of Service Management at the University…
Abstract
This article considers the benefits for students, industry mentors and organisations of a trial mentoring project completed by the School of Service Management at the University of Brighton. The Savoy Educational Trust Mentorship Programme, a concept developed through discussions between academic staff and the School’s industry advisors, effectively matched students (protégés) with professionals from industry (mentors) for a period of one academic year. Once matched, the relationship between the student protégé and their mentor was allowed to develop and follow its own natural course. The research concludes that such a relationship can offer significant rewards for the student through the contextualisation of their learning and also through personal development. Mentors also gained significant personal satisfaction, with their employer organisations gaining access to vocationally aware graduates.
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Rinat Arviv Elyashiv and Michal Levi-Keren
The present study focused on an incubator model for the absorption of beginning teachers into the education system. This new model is based on the cooperative approach. The study…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study focused on an incubator model for the absorption of beginning teachers into the education system. This new model is based on the cooperative approach. The study examined mentoring perceptions among mentors. More specifically, the study investigated how mentors perceive the incubator and how mentors view the support provided to beginning teachers, as well as the contribution mentoring makes to fostering mentors' own sense of efficacy and professional development. These aspects were examined in comparison to the traditional dyadic model.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative study, 92 mentors working in incubators and 382 mentors working in a traditional dyadic setting responded to a self-report questionnaire. In the qualitative study, 28 mentors who were part of an incubator were interviewed.
Findings
The research findings indicate that the incubators create a dual effect of development and constitute a mantle of support that impacts the mentoring process, positions that as a dialogic–communal process and at the same time contributes to the professional development of both the beginning teachers and mentors.
Originality/value
The paper discusses the theoretical and practical contribution of the incubators as a new model for inducting beginning teachers into the profession.
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