Title: Understanding mentoring role as a step towards improving quality of teacher education: Kosovo experience

Authors: Majlinda Gjelaj; Fjolla Kaçaniku; Blerim Saqipi

Addresses: Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, Agim Ramadani, 350, Prishtina 10000, Kosovo ' Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, Agim Ramadani, 350, Prishtina 10000, Kosovo ' Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, Agim Ramadani, 350, Prishtina 10000, Kosovo

Abstract: This research aimed at investigating how mentor teachers perceive their role as mentors of student teachers in an education system that is undergoing transition and faces significant challenges in quality of teacher education. The study was conducted in Kosovo and involved 220 mentor teachers trained at the University of Prishtina's Faculty of Education and an analysis of the course syllabi that intended to prepare students for school placement. This research concluded that mentor teachers are aware of their roles but prioritise tasks related to classroom management rather than broader roles of teachers in the school system. Also, the course syllabi indicated a general link with anticipated teacher roles while there is a need to ensure a better coherence between the school placement and university input. The research concludes that developments in teacher professionalism in the system should be a driving force behind the preparation of mentor teachers.

Keywords: mentoring; pedagogical knowledge; mentor teacher training; student teachers; teacher education; mentor teacher roles; quality; context; school placement; Kosovo.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2020.106586

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2020 Vol.11 No.2, pp.188 - 203

Received: 14 Mar 2019
Accepted: 04 Sep 2019
Published online: 15 Apr 2020 *

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