When it comes to mentoring, it is the mentee’s, or trainee’s, development that is the object of the process, but by entering a mentor-mentee relationship, mentors often also benefit.

What is mentoring, and how does it work?

Mentoring is a relationship where a more experienced individual, the ‘mentor’, provides guidance, support, and knowledge sharing to a less experienced person, known as a mentee, or, in our context, a trainee teacher.

Mentoring helps trainee teachers develop professionally and personally, usually through a long-term relationship focused on learning and growth, rather than immediate problem-solving; it involves active listening, asking insightful questions, and empowering the trainee to find their solutions.

What do mentors benefit from mentoring?

So what do mentors gain from mentoring? We’ve been asking around and taking notes…

Personal satisfaction When asked what they gain from the mentoring process many mentors in education often list personal satisfaction. It’s no surprise that helping a trainee teacher succeed and progress can be personally rewarding for those used to the rewarding feeling gained in the classroom.

Improves leadership skills By practicing active listening, and providing constructive feedback,  mentors gain a broader perspective through different situations, and refine their ability to guide and support others,

Personal growth Mentoring helps mentors build confidence and learn new perspectives. It helps hone their communication and interpersonal skills.

Improved active listening We all know how important active listening is, especially in a pedagogical context, and many mentors report improved active listening and better understanding directly gained from the mentoring process.

Communication skills As well as improved active listening, active mentors can practice and improve their wider communication skills, empathy, and patience.

Confidence Mentors can feel a boost in confidence when they see their trainees grow and achieve.

New perspectives: Mentors can gain new perspectives by sharing their experiences and listening to their trainees.

As we can see mentorship offers numerous advantages for mentors. Mentoring can help advance a mentor’s career and personal development in many ways from enhancing the mentor’s own leadership and communication abilities to exposing them to new perspectives and building confidence.

The benefits of mentoring for trainee teachers

Mentoring for trainee teachers is a valuable part of every trainee’s development and we look at the ten most often mentioned benefits HERE.

Progressr supports the mentoring and progress of trainee teachers

Progressr provides a platform that supports mentoring of trainee teachers. It is designed to allow experienced teachers (mentors) to provide guidance, advice, and professional development to trainee teachers (the mentees). Progressr tracks each trainee’s progress as they navigate the challenges of teaching and develop their pedagogical skills.