An Exploration of the Potential Benefits of Supporting Mentors of Newly Qualified Teachers to Use Solution-Focused Strategies in Their Mentoring Role

In England, Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) are allocated an induction tutor or mentor who offer them mentoring as they transition into their teaching career. Mentors play an important role in supporting NQTs and their professional development. Mentoring can produce a variety of benefits, however, previous research suggests that a deficit-based, directive, advice-giving approach is apparent in practice, which can be detrimental to NQTs’ wellbeing and development. Furthermore, despite the importance of mentoring, there is a lack of research examining the impact of mentor education programmes. This exploratory research considers whether training in Solution-Focused (SF) approaches (de Shazer, 1985) is perceived to be helpful for practising NQT mentors. SF approaches are utilised by Educational Psychologists (EPs) within a range of contexts and EPs have a role in delivering training in such approaches. In this research, nine participants, who had responsibilities in school-based mentoring of new teachers, attended training sessions on SF approaches. The research used qualitative data collection methods and participants’ views were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Interviews explored NQT mentors’ perceptions of SF approaches and strategies, focusing on their perceived appropriateness for use within mentoring, alongside mentors’ experiences of implementing them. Additionally, the research explored the perceived influence of the SF training and of using SF approaches on mentors’ self-efficacy. The interview data was subsequently analysed using Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The findings indicate that all participants perceived aspects of SF approaches to be useful and supportive within their mentoring role, however, participants also perceived some limitations relating to using these approaches in mentoring. The findings suggest that participating in SF training or adopting SF approaches in practice can have a degree of positive influence on some mentors' self-efficacy within the mentoring role. They also offer insight into how training in SF approaches could support schools. The potential role of EPs in supporting school-based mentoring is considered and implications for EP practice are discussed

Turbulence and Its Impact on Commercial Aviation

The hazards posed by turbulence remain an important issue in commercial aviation. Safety experts say turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injury to passengers and airline employees, especially flight attendants. Extensive research into methods for alleviating this turbulence hazard has been continuing for many years. This paper addresses the issues pertaining to turbulence, including the causes, impact on commercial aviation, and initiatives undertaken to prevent turbulence related mishaps today and in the future

In-Flight Icing and How Airlines Are Coping

The hazards posed by in-flight icing are an important issue in commercial aviation. Extensive research into methods for coping with in-flight icing has been continuing for many years. This paper addresses the issues pertaining to in-flight icing including causes, impact on commercial aviation, and initiatives undertaken to avoid in-flight icing mishaps today and in the future

Lightning Strikes on Commercial Aircraft: How the Airlines Are Coping

The hazard posed by lightning strikes is an important issue in commercial aviation. Extensive research into methods for coping with lightning strikes has been continuing for many years. This paper addresses the issues pertaining to lightning strikes, impact on commercial aviation, and initiatives undertaken to prevent lightning strike mishaps. This paper concludes that commercial airliners are generally quite safe during electrical storms. The metal skin of the plane conducts the current on the outside around the passengers. Fuel tanks are now designed to prevent entry of electrical charges

Low-Level Windshear and Its Impact on Airlines

The hazards posed by low-level windshear are an important issue in commercial aviation. Extensive research into methods for coping with low-level windshear has been continuing for many years. This paper addresses the issues pertaining to low-level wind shear causes, impact on commercial aviation, and initiatives undertaken to prevent low-level windshear mishaps today and in the future

Management Advisory Services: Its Place in the Profession, Spring Meeting of Council, May 4, 1970

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_assoc/2053/thumbnail.jp