Mentoring Pre-service Teachers

You need an undergraduate degree to do this course.

Technology Requirements
We recommend a laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection. For most courses you'll need to download and populate assignments. These are usually available in Microsoft Word.

• Submit an audio recording of a mentoring feedback conversation (maximum 30 minutes)
• Use the recording to identify what went well, what didn't, and any areas for improvement

Grant Buchanan

Lecturer in the School of Teacher Education

Nikki Tod

Lecturer in the School of Teacher Education

Sandra Williamson-Leadley

Senior Lecturer in Education

Grant Buchanan
Grant also teaches Physical Education courses with primary pre-service teachers and works as a professional practice lecturer. He completed a master’s thesis on mentoring in primary schools in New Zealand. His research focuses on understanding the ecological nuances of mentoring teachers and using mentoring to build professional capability. 

Nikki Tod 
Nikki's professional background includes ten years of classroom teaching in primary schools. This includes senior leadership positions, mentoring pre-service and beginning teachers, and lecturing in Initial Teacher Education at UC for over twenty years.

Her Master of Education research focused on educational leadership (with an emphasis on professional learning for developing teachers) and culturally-responsive practices. She's committed to best practice in ITE and values the mentor-mentee relationships that underpin the growth of a mentee’s teaching practice. 

Sandra Williamson-Leadley
Sandra's professional background includes 17 years as a primary school teacher in NZ. This includes senior leadership positions, mentoring pre-service and beginning teachers, and ten years as a teacher educator.

Her doctoral research focused on the perspectives of primary teachers regarding the impact of professional development when integrating educational technologies in their classroom practices. She's been involved in mentoring as a student and associate/mentor teacher, and is now a professional practice lecturer for initial teacher education students on placement.