Scottish Continuing International Professional Development Programme

Coaching and mentoring teachers: Improving learning

The symposium is a key part of the Scottish Continuing International Professional Development Programme (SCIPD) facilitated by LTS.

The success of Curriculum for Excellence depends on the quality of what happens in the classroom. This one-day symposium looked at ways in which skilled coaching and mentoring enables teachers to become reflective practitioners, able to use and share their experience to improve teaching and enhance the learning experience for all pupils.

Ellen Moir, Founder and Executive Director of the New Teacher Center, University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) gave the keynote speech by video link. The New Teacher Center has gained a worldwide reputation in all aspects of teacher coaching and mentoring, from new teacher induction to coaching for school leaders and all leaders of learning. Further presentations were given by staff from the Center who are expert practitioners in coaching and mentoring techniques.

Workshops were delivered on the day by Scottish teachers and educational staff who have visited the New Teacher Center in Santa Cruz as part of the SCIPD study visit scheme.