An analysis of beginning mentors’ critical incidents in English post-compulsory education: navigating stormy waters

Eliahoo, R. 2016. An analysis of beginning mentors’ critical incidents in English post-compulsory education: navigating stormy waters. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. 5 (4), pp. 304-317. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-08-2016-0060

TitleAn analysis of beginning mentors’ critical incidents in English post-compulsory education: navigating stormy waters
TypeJournal article
AuthorsEliahoo, R.
Abstract

This qualitative study explores the barriers and dilemmas faced by beginning and novice mentors in post-compulsory education in the southeast of England. It analyses critical incidents (Tripp, 2012) taken from the everyday practice of mentors who were supporting new teachers and lecturers in the southeast of England. It categorises different types of critical incidents that mentors encountered and describes the strategies and rationales mentors used to support mentees and (indirectly) their learners and colleagues. The study explores ways in which mentors' own values, beliefs and life experiences affected their mentoring practice. 
Methodology
As part of a specialist master’s-level professional development module, 21 mentors wrote about two critical incidents (Tripp, 2012) taken from their own professional experiences, which aimed to demonstrate their support for their mentee’s range of complex needs. These critical incidents were written up as short case studies, which justified the rationale for their interventions and demonstrated the mentors' own professional development in mentoring. Critical incidents were used as units of analysis and categorised thematically by topic, sector and mentoring strategies used.
Findings
The research demonstrated the complex nature of decision-making and the potential for professional learning within a mentoring dyad. The study of these critical incidents found that mentors most frequently cited the controversial nature of teaching observations, the mentor’s role in mediating professional relationships, the importance of inculcating professional dispositions in education, and the need to support new teachers so that they can use effective behaviour management strategies.
This study contributes to our understanding of the central importance of mentoring for professional growth within teacher education. It identifies common dilemmas that novice mentors face in post-compulsory education, justifies the rationale for their interventions and mentoring strategies, and helps to identify ways in which mentors' professional development needs can be met. It demonstrates that mentoring is complex, non-linear and mediated by mentors’ motivation and values.

Keywordsmentoring, critical incidents, initial teacher education, teacher preparation
JournalInternational Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education
Journal citation5 (4), pp. 304-317
ISSN2046-6854
Year2016
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-08-2016-0060
Publication dates
Published17 Oct 2016
Published online17 Oct 2016

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