Interview Esprit Academy
5 questions to Ted Kuin, geography teacher and teacher-trainee mentors at AICS
How often do you work as a teacher-trainee mentor?
“So far I have only supervised trainees in the field of teaching methodology in geography or history. New teachers usually come under the supervision of their head of department. Next year I will do more with mentoring. In what form I don't know yet, but I think it would be fun because everything is changing in our way of teaching.”
At the end of June , you will follow the 'Teacher-trainee mentor training secondary school in English' course. Why did you choose this training?
“Honestly, the school signed me up. Incidentally, I am happy with this, because I think that the supervision of new teachers could be improved. The administrative side of teaching is very demanding. For example, when preparing a test, you should divide it into four criteria and write down why you are giving grades. At an international school like ours, you also have to deal with articulate parents who set the bar high. And during an audit you must be able to hand over figures immediately. At the time it took me three years to understand everything and then we had 400 students, today there are 2,000. I see starting colleagues struggling, they feel that they are being thrown into the deep end. That is why I would like to support them more.”
What do you want to learn?
“I have been working in education for 23 years. So as a teacher I am experienced enough, but I miss the theoretical foundation in my role of teacher-trainee mentor. For example about mediation and there is probably a lot more knowledge that I don't know about yet. Because I have been made free of schedule for the course, I can sit down for it.”
What's in it for your work, do you expect?
“Not so much for my work as a teacher. There are no new teachers in my department this year and next year. Still, I want to draw more tasks in the field of mentoring to me. We have a number of colleagues on sick leave due to a burnout. With the tools from the training, I may be able to help colleagues who have been working here for some time, but who could still use a helping hand.”
Did you already know the Esprit Academy?
"Yes. Only I hadn't looked there myself yet, because I'm working on my thesis for a master's degree. I will definitely do that as soon as I get some more time, because I am always looking for opportunities to give more depth to my work.”
Guidance starting teachers
Starting teachers within Esprit Schools
A quarter of starters leave education within 5 years. A missed opportunity! Esprit Schools believes good guidance is important for the innovation, quality and future of education.