Mentoring in the field of teacher education

Teacher education is the process of providing teachers and potential teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach effectively in a classroom environment. Most teacher education starts with initial training such as degree program at a college or university, though other paths are available for a candidate to begin teacher education. The term “mentor” stems from Greek mythology in which Odysseus entrusted the care and education of his child to a friend named mentor while the father was away of his adventures and travels. Mentoring has come to be used for a variety of relationships. Some of its synonyms include role model, coach, guide, sponsor, friend and adviser. Good quality mentoring in schools makes an important contribution to developing the professional skills of new teachers and ensuring the best quality learning experiences for pupils. This paper is an attempt to reflect an innovative concept of mentoring in the field of teacher education in India.