ABSTRACT
This chapter explores different factors that impact on the mentor–mentee relationship, and a mentor, can do to create a successful relationship, leading to mutual professional development. It considers the views of the beginning teacher and their concerns about planning and teaching, allowing mentors to understand what they are experiencing and enabling mentors to support them more effectively. The effectiveness of the mentor–mentee relationship depends on a mentor’s ability to build a collaborative relationship with a beginning teacher, using their communication skills to clearly explain strategies and analyse discussions to identify areas for development and being open towards offering support and challenge. Mentors also need to recognise the emotional needs of their beginning teachers on an individual level. Therefore, to start and maintain a healthy mentor–mentee relationship, a mentor needs to identify and support a beginning teacher’s emotional needs, which should ideally start from the first mentoring meeting.
