Music in Me adopts a collaborative self-development approach to mentoring, pairing an experienced music teacher with a teacher less experienced in the teaching of music.

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring can be defined as a positive and supportive facilitation of learning and development where a knowledgeable, experienced and highly effective teacher works alongside a less experienced teacher or one who is new to that field. 

Mentoring has long been recognised as a powerful tool in the ongoing professional development of teachers. Mentoring is clearly valued by both beginning teachers as well as more experienced teachers wanting to develop knowledge and skills in a particular area of their teaching practice.  

Mentors are highly effective experienced and knowledgeable teachers who work with early career or less-experienced teachers. Mentors focus on developing teacher knowledge and skills to improve student outcomes. 

Mentors work alongside teachers to facilitate the acquisition and development of skills in-situ.  

Mentoring typically occurs frequently and over an fixed period of time, where the program can be developed to cater for the initial and emerging goals of the participating teacher. 

Mentoring through Music in Me

Mentoring in the Music in Me program draws upon both ‘support’ and ‘collaborative self-development’ models of mentoring. The model is a powerful professional development for teachers and regularly noted to be a career highlight for mentors.  

Given the diversity of student and teacher needs, Music in Me is non-prescriptive in terms of content and delivery. Mentors work with participating teachers to set and track teacher development against goals negotiated in collaboration with one another. In doing so, the program builds teacher confidence, skills and practice in delivering valuable music experiences for students to achieve curricula outcomes. 

In many cases, participating teachers go on to support the professional learning of their colleagues in their school or become a mentor for Music in Me, thus creating a cascading model of mentoring. 

Mentors are seen as professional equals with participating teachers, and the program leads to mutual professional and personal growth.