Tutoring, mentoring, mentoring: how young teachers are supported in Belarus

From psychological trainings on conflict prevention to lessons with the use of artificial intelligence: today the work with young teachers reaches a fundamentally new, informal level. About how the country coordinates the Institute of mentoring and what methodological findings of young professionals will see in the open access, says the Director of the Institute of professional development of education workers GUO “Academy of national education” Inessa Zubrilin, writes sb.by.

Working with young teachers is a traditional direction that is implemented at all levels: from the Academy of National Education to specific schools

- Support for young professionals is a key function of the methodical work of any educational institution. Although the Institute of Professional Development of Educational Workers is mainly engaged in professional development and retraining of management personnel, we never leave young people aside. This work has been carried out for many years as part of intercourse training. Last year, we initiated the creation of the Republican Club of Young Teachers and held two meetings. The program of the club includes methodological and legal assistance, social support, as well as psychological training to prevent conflicts with more experienced colleagues. We are now planning another meeting. Since the composition of young specialists is constantly updated, we differentiate the work according to their current needs.

Work with young people is also being developed in an informal online format, emphasizes Inessa Zubrilina:

- On the official website of the Academy of National Education there is a link to the resource "Study Together.Bel". There are sections “Equal Teaches Equal” with methodological materials, blocks on the use of artificial intelligence, as well as the project “Cultural Code of Belarus” to implement the educational potential of lessons. In the "Word to the teacher" section, video recordings of meetings with winners of professional skills competitions and experienced managers are available. Any teacher can use these materials to educate themselves.

Separately, Inessa Zubrilina noted the final of the republican competition “Teacher of the Year of the Republic of Belarus”:

- His innovation was the appearance of the nominations “Young teacher” and “Young leader”. The finalists showed unique methodological findings. In compliance with the law on the protection of personal data, we are now processing these materials to open access to them on the resources of the Academy for everyone. In addition, on November 5, a traditional seminar with members of the Crystal Crane club will be held. New finalists will also be included. One of the activities of the club is visiting regional seminars, where teachers conduct open lessons in unfamiliar classrooms.

Another effective tool is mentoring, says the expert:

- We coordinate the interaction of young people with teachers-methodists – this is an elite category, there are slightly more than 500 people in our country. Within the framework of the project “Online School of Teachers”, young specialists are connected to meetings on-the-job. We collect their questions and select speakers for specific requests. On the ground, corporate training plays a huge role - tutoring, mentoring, system master classes within one institution. Such continuous interaction allows a young specialist to analyze someone else’s experience, adapt it and form his own pedagogical handwriting. Every second young teacher in Minsk schools is a graduate of BSPU