Category: Virtual Languages Mentoring Network

Seeking mentors for the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network – VLMN

31/1/2022

Seeking experienced teachers of Chinese, German, Japanese, French and/or Latin to be mentors in the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) program.

Are you an experienced teacher of Chinese, German, Japanese, French and/or Latin? We are currently finalising the new 2022-2023 cohort of the VLMN program and are looking for experienced teachers of these languages who are interested in mentoring the 2022-2023 cohort of beginning language teachers.

The VLMN was established in 2017 to support beginning language teachers 7-12. Beginning and geographically remote teachers of languages often work as the only language teacher in the school and have specific needs which cannot always be met at the school level.

Beginning and/or isolated language teachers (mentees) are matched with an experienced language teacher (mentor) for the duration of the VLMN program. The VLMN program will begin with a centrally-located conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide release to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning for the duration of the VLMN program.

The VLMN will:
• identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
• implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees
• support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
• build the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks
• provide significant professional development opportunities for all mentors and mentees.

The VLMN includes the program leaders from the Languages and Culture team, and school-based language teacher mentors working to support the mentee teachers.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email your EOI to Shanelle Ingram by 5 pm on Wednesday 9 February 2022.

vlmn_mentor_eoi_2022-final.docx
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Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN)

11/11/2020

The Languages and Culture team successfully established the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2017 to support beginning and/or isolated language teachers 7-12.
Beginning language teachers (in their first 5 years of teaching), mentees, are matched with experienced language teachers, mentors, for the duration of the VLMN program.
The 2-year VLMN program will begin with a centrally-located conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide funding for the release of participants to facilitate mentoring support and to participate in the VLMN program.

The VLMN will:
• identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
• implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees
• support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
• provide significant professional development opportunities for all mentors and mentees.

Expressions of interest are invited from language teachers who would like to join the 2021-2022 cohort of the VLMN as mentors or mentees.

You will find further information about the criteria for becoming a mentor or mentee in the VLMN on the expression of interest forms attached.

An information session will be held on Thursday 26 November at 3:30pm for language teachers and school executive to find out more about the VLMN program. There will be time at the end to ask any questions you may have about the program. Registration for the information session is via MyPL. The course identifier is NR28714.

Contact Shanelle Ingram, Language Officer on 0448 479 778 or at shanelle.ingram@det.nsw.edu.au for more information.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5pm on Friday 11 December 2020.

vlmn_mentee_eoi_2021-2022-final.docx
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vlmn_mentor_eoi_2021-2022-final.docx
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Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) information session

28/10/2020

The Languages and Culture team successfully established the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2017 to support beginning and/or isolated language teachers 7-12. Early career and geographically remote teachers of languages often work as the only language teacher in the school and have specific needs which cannot always be met at the school level.

In the VLMN program, beginning and/or isolated language teachers, mentees, are matched with an experienced language teacher, mentor, for the duration of the program. The VLMN program begins with a centrally-located conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team provides release to facilitate mentoring support and attend targeted professional learning for the duration of the VLMN program.

Are you interested in joining the program as a mentor or mentee in 2021-2022? Do you think a teacher in your school would benefit from participating in the program? EOIs will advertised in SchoolBiz in Week 6.

An information session will be held on Thursday 26 November at 3:30pm for language teachers and school executive to find out more about the VLMN program. There will be time at the end to ask any questions you may have about the program.

Registration for the information session is via MyPL. The course identifier is NR28714.

For more information please contact Shanelle Ingram on 0448 479 778 or Evia Kyriacou on 7814 2820.

Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) 2019-2020

26/2/2020

The Languages and Culture team supports beginning language teachers 7-12 through the VLMN. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas or in their first 5 years in rural and remote NSW.

The VLMN provides targeted support over an 18 month period, with beginning teachers (mentees) matched to experienced teacher mentors on a 2:1 ratio.

Due to the addition of new mentees to the program in 2020, expressions of interest are invited from experienced language teachers of Japanese and Chinese 7-12 who would like to join the second cohort of the VLMN for 2019-2020 to mentor beginning teachers of languages. In selecting mentors, we will consider selection criteria responses and teaching contexts, to ensure members are drawn from a wide range of schools.

Mentors will provide support from Term 1 2020 until the end of Term 4 2020. Relevant professional learning will be provided for all successful applicants including participation in the VLMN conference on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 April. Applicants must be able to attend on these dates.

The Languages and Culture team will provide release and related expenses to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning.

Please complete the attached EOI form and submit by 5pm on Friday 6 March 2020 to Shanelle Ingram.

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Mentoring program for beginning secondary languages teachers 2019-2020 – VLMN

28/1/2020

Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) – mentees

The Languages and Culture team supports beginning language teachers 7-12 through the VLMN. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas or in their first 5 years in rural and remote NSW.

The VLMN provides targeted support over an 18 month period, with beginning teachers (mentees) matched to experienced teacher mentors on a 2:1 ratio.

Expressions of interest are invited from beginning teachers of languages 7-12 (mentees) who would like to join the second cohort of VLMN for 2020.

The VLMN:

- identifies professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
- implements evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees
- supports teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
- builds the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks.

The 2019-2020 VLMN cohort began in Term 3 2019 and will continue until the end of Term 4 2020. In facilitating mentoring support, the Languages and Culture team provides teacher release to participants to attend targeted professional learning. A 2-day conference will be held on 6 and 7 April 2020, and mentees are required to attend. Relief costs are provided, together with travel and accommodation, where required.

Selection criteria:
Contact Evia Kyriacou, A/Languages Adviser or call 02 7814 2820 to find out more.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 14 February 2020.

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Virtual Languages Mentoring Network – second cohort

2/8/2019

Last week, we were equal parts proud and delighted to launch the second cohort of our Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN).

This 18-month programs sees experienced teacher mentors supporting beginning teacher mentees across NSW, with a mentor:mentee ratio to 1:2. It is a very targeted, long-term professional learning program which benefits all participants through mutual support of professional growth, lesson observations, conversations and resources.

The 2019-2020 cohort has 9 mentors working with 17 mentees. For this cohort, we have introduced 3 lead mentors who will have oversight of the whole program – teachers supporting teachers, supporting teachers to ensure every student in our classrooms has the best possible learning experience in languages.

Congratulations to all involved, especially Evia Kyriacou (program manager), Shanelle Ingram, Kristen Smith and Maria Encarnacion Perez (lead mentors) for your incredible dedication and enthusiasm.

We look forward to hearing about your learning adventures!

Mentoring program for secondary languages teachers 2019-2020 – VLMN

27/5/2019

In 2017, the Languages and Culture team successfully established in the Virtual Language Mentoring Network (VLMN) to support beginning and/or isolated language teachers 7-12, especially those without the support of a head teacher with languages background. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas and in their first 5 years in rural and remote areas.

These teachers often work as the only language teacher in the school and may have specific needs which cannot always be met at school level.

The 2019-2020 cohort of the VLMN includes a Language Officer, Evia Kyriacou, from the Languages and Culture team, 2 lead mentors, 1 beginning mentor and up to 10 school-based language teacher mentors (selected via expressions of interest) working to support the mentee teachers.

Expressions of interest are invited from experienced language teachers of:

- Chinese (1 mentor required)
- French (1 mentor required)
- German (1 mentor required)
- Italian (1 mentor required)
- Japanese (5 mentors required)
- Spanish (1 mentor required).

Mentors will be providing support from Term 3 2019 until the end of Term 4 2020 and relevant professional learning will be provided for all successful applicants.

The VLMN will:

- identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
- implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees
- support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
build the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks.

The VLMN will begin with a centrally-located 3-day conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide release and related expenses to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning.

Please complete the Google survey, and download and complete the attached EOI form and submit by 5pm on Friday 14 June 2019 to evia.kyriacou@det.nsw.edu.au

eoi_accessible_vlmn_mentor.docx
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Mentoring program for beginning secondary languages teachers 2019-2020 – VLMN – applications closing soon

1/5/2019

The Languages and Culture team successfully established the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2017 to support beginning and/or isolated languages teachers 7-12. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas and up to 5 years in rural and remote.

Beginning and geographically-remote teachers of languages often work as the only language teacher in the school and have specific needs which cannot always be met at school level.

The VLMN includes a Language Officer, Evia Kyriacou, from the Languages and Culture team, 2 lead mentors, 2 beginning mentors and up to 15 school-based language teacher mentors (selected via expressions of interest) working to support the mentee teachers.

Expressions of interest are invited from early career/geographically remote teachers of languages 7-12 (mentees) who would like to join the second cohort of VLMN for 2019-2021.

The VLMN will:
- identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
- implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees over an 18-month period
- support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
- build the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks.

The VLMN will begin with a centrally-located 2.5 day conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide release to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning.

Please complete the Google survey https://forms.gle/mQpQMMwZKdvb17Z48 and download the attached EOI form and submit by 5pm on Friday 10 May 2019 to Evia Kyriacou.

Mentoring program for beginning secondary languages teachers 2019-2020 – VLMN

28/3/2019

The Languages and Culture team successfully established the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2017 to support beginning and/or isolated languages teachers 7-12. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas and up to 5 years in rural and remote.

Beginning and geographically-remote teachers of languages often work as the only language teacher in the school and have specific needs which cannot always be met at school level.

The VLMN includes a Language Officer, Evia Kyriacou, from the Languages and Culture team, 2 lead mentors, 2 beginning mentors and up to 15 school-based language teacher mentors (selected via expressions of interest) working to support the mentee teachers.

Expressions of interest are invited from early career/geographically remote teachers of languages 7-12 (mentees) who would like to join the second cohort of VLMN for 2019-2021.

The VLMN will:
- identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
- implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees over an 18-month period
- support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
- build the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks.

The VLMN will begin with a centrally-located 2.5 day conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide release to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning.

Please complete the Google survey https://forms.gle/mQpQMMwZKdvb17Z48 and download the attached EOI form and submit by 5pm on Friday 10 May 2019 to Evia Kyriacou.

eoi_accessible_vlmn_mentee.docx
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Mentoring program for early career secondary languages teachers 2018 – the VLMN

18/1/2018

The NSW Department of Education's Languages and Culture team invites expressions of interest from early career secondary teachers of languages (Years 7-12) who are interested in being mentored through the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2018.

The Virtual Languages Mentoring Network supports the wellbeing and professional growth of early career languages teachers.

The VLMN program:

- provides early career languages teachers with an experienced, language-specific teacher mentor
- supports the development of trusting, productive and mutually beneficial professional relationships
- encourages critical conversations and self-reflection
- develops the professionalism of teachers as they work toward best practice and accreditation
- provides high quality, relevant and evidence-based professional learning
- develops and supports robust professional networks
- promotes teacher wellbeing and work-life balance
- fosters a growth mindset.

We have five places available in 2018. The languages available are:

- French
- German
- Spanish.

Teachers of Aboriginal Languages are also encouraged to apply.

If you teach a language not listed above, please contact the program manager to discuss joining the program in 2019.

Key responsibilities

- All participants actively seek to build trusting, productive, and mutually beneficial professional relationships.
- All participants are committed to meeting timelines for communication and deliverables.

Selection criteria
We are looking for participants who will commit to the program, and commit to growing as teaching professionals. If you feel like you have a lot to learn, would like to connect with more experienced colleagues, want to build your confidence and skills as a professional, and are enthusiastic and open, we would like to hear from you.

At the time of application you must:
- be an employee of the NSW Department of Education, in your first three years of teaching in a metropolitan or outer metropolitan school, or first five years of teaching in a rural/remote school
- have a permanent or long-term temporary (4 terms +) appointment
- teach at least 50% of a full time load in languages.

All expressions of interest must be endorsed by the applicant’s current principal. The program guidelines are attached for the information of applicants and their principals.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network, please complete the attached EOI form, and include a brief statement supporting your application (no more than one A4 page). Email your endorsed application as a PDF to the program manager, Michelle Walls by 5pm on Friday, 16 February 2018 (Week 3).

ALL: Please bring this opportunity to the attention of any early career languages teacher who could benefit from this mentoring program.

For further information contact Michelle Walls, Language Officer, on 9266 5573.

eoi_virtual_languages_mentoring_network_2018.pdf
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vlmn_program_guidelines_2018.pdf
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