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. 

Are you an early career or geographically isolated teacher of languages? Then the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) is for you!

The VLMN aims to provide support and professional learning opportunities for teachers. If you are interested in the program, please refer to the original post, or contact Michelle Walls for more information. 

EOIs for mentees and mentors close this Friday, 24 February. 

If you are a beginning and/or geographically isolated teacher of languages 7-12 at your school, please email your details to Michelle Walls 
 
The Languages and Culture team (Secondary Education – Learning and Teaching Directorate) is establishing the Virtual Language Mentoring Network (VLMN) to support beginning and/or isolated languages teachers
​7-12, especially those without the support of a head teacher with languages background. A beginning teacher is one in their first five years of teaching.
 
Early career and geographically remote teachers of languages often work as the only language teacher in a school and have specific needs which cannot always be met at school level. This is a chance to build a network of language teachers across the state who can help and support each other, plus a valuable opportunity to participate in professional development.
 
The VLMN will include a Language Officer (Michelle Walls) from the Languages and Culture team and up to fifteen 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 Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) for 2017. Apply via the link below.
 
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 Virtual Language Mentoring Network will begin with a centrally-located two 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.
 
Selection criteria:
Contact Michelle Walls, A/Language Officer on 02 9244 5573 or at michelle.walls2@det.nsw.edu.au to find out more.
 
Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 24 February 2017

• EOI to become a VLMN mentee (language teachers in first five years/geographically remote).

 
Would you like to be a mentor?
The Languages and Culture team is also seeking mentors for the Virtual Language Mentoring Network (VLMN). In selecting mentors, we will consider selection criteria responses, to ensure members are drawn from a wide range of schools, languages and experience.
 
Experienced language teachers and/or Head Teachers participating in this program will have significant professional development opportunities and be given the opportunity to build skills at the APST Highly Accomplished Teacher level. Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified and experienced teachers.
 
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 24 February 2017

• EOI to become a VLMN mentor (experienced language teachers)