On the psychological and pedagogical support of a young specialist

Since 2008, President of Russia Vladimir Putin has devoted every year to one or another topical area to attract public attention and support the industry. Thus, 2022 became the Year of the Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia. 2023 has been declared the Year of the Teacher and Mentor. The director of the Institute of Pedagogics, Psychology and Sports Education of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after HM. Berbekov, candidate of psychological sciences, doctor of acmeology O.I. Mikhailenko.

— Dear Olga Ivanovna, the state and society at all times have high hopes for the school and teachers. What expectations do you and your colleagues have from the theme year?

– We are confident that giving a teacher a special status will make it possible to make global changes in the system of education and upbringing of the younger generation. Today, new teacher roles are needed: a navigator in the world of information, an effective manager of the educational process, a leader and a mentor. Let’s talk about mentoring. What definition do theorists give to this term?

— Mentoring is support for a young specialist, contributing to a more efficient distribution of personal resources, self-determination and development in professional and cultural relations, and the formation of a civic position. Young teachers, getting a job at school, often experience difficulties in adapting to working conditions. At the same time, they face many tasks related both to getting to know the team and the class, and to entering a new position — a teacher. What should be a teacher-mentor?

– For most young teachers, it is important that the mentor is both a consultant and an assistant. So that he is well informed, fluent in his subject, able to interest and captivate. It should be a person with a high level of culture, able to offer practical and theoretical help in the workplace. Mentorship, both on the part of the institute and on the part of a person appointed by an educational organization, always correlates with a wise person who is a model for young teachers and students.

– The level of employment of university graduates largely depends on the quality of their education.

— In order to identify the attitude of employers and young teachers to this issue, we annually conduct an anonymous survey. School directors and head teachers noted: it is good if there are many young teachers in the school, because these are fresh forces, knowledge; they are easily rebuilt, energetic, quickly orient themselves in changing life situations. The results of a survey of 64 young teachers showed that 95% of them positively assess the conditions created at our institute for conducting training sessions; 86% positively assessed the quality of education received; 80% have scientific interests, 60% of young teachers are passionate about artistic creativity. How are survey results used?

— Efficient. The Institute of Pedagogy, Psychology and Physical Culture and Sports Education of the KBSU has developed a recommendation program «Psychological and pedagogical support for a young teacher.»

— Where can I get acquainted with this program, how to use it?

– The program is implemented at the Center for Additional Professional Education on the basis of the Institute of Pedagogy, Psychology and Physical Culture and Sports Education of the KBSU. More than 40 employees of our department of the university are ready to provide assistance and support to their former students.

— Are the classes held in-person at KBSU or is it a network program, and can you use it online?

– Classes are held as part of advanced training courses using blended learning technology, which combines face-to-face and distance interaction formats. I am sure that the Year of the Teacher and Mentor will draw public attention to the teaching profession. For many educators, there will be an opportunity to change the style of their work and improve their professional culture.

— I would like to share your confidence, because the teacher educates young people, forms a generation that will continue the work of the elders. It means that it lays the foundation for the future of our society, its science and culture. Awareness of this fact at the level of the state and society will make it possible to implement the ideas of the Year of the Teacher and Mentor. We wish you success, Olga Ivanovna, and all your colleagues.

Irina BOGACHEVA

Source: Kabardino-Balkarskaya Pravda, No. 1 (25548), January 10, 2023

Translated by Gekkieva J.A.