Mentoring Preservice Teachers — Demands of participation in a partnership of mutual benefit

Future teacher shortage is a well-publicised phenomenon in Australia. The pressure is on all stakeholders to provide a solution, and it is suggested that teacher preparation courses take larger numbers into their programs. The professional experience/practicum components of teacher preparation courses are already having difficulty finding sufficient quality placements to meet current needs. It is difficult to see how more can be accommodated. Data gathered from stakeholders in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) reveal an array of factors that typify the problem Australia-wide - issues of mentoring teachers' experience, confidence, workload and incentives are uppermost for many participants. The challenge is for all stakeholders in the education of pre-service teachers to feel they are growing and benefiting from the relationship. There is a need for greater recognition and support to develop the partnerships further.