Peer Mentoring Supports Students in Teacher Training

In peer mentoring in teacher training, students from higher program semesters act as mentors to support first-year students in their transition to university life and with questions related to teacher training and their future profession. The aim is to help prospective teachers master their initial challenges and thus strengthen their perseverance. After all, experience shows that the greatest drop-out rate in a study program usually occurs in the first semesters. “Together, we can clarify the mentees' questions at the beginning of their studies and find individual solutions. Additionally, it's great to see how the new students exchange ideas and connect with others,” explains Fatima Kubat, who has been involved as a mentor in the program since April. Teacher trainees in their first or second semester can apply as mentees until 15 December.

At the moment, a total of over 7,500 teacher training students enrolled at TU Dortmund University. The university, as one of the few institutions, offers degree programs for all five types of schools, including those currently particularly affected by the severe shortage of teachers, such as primary schools, special education schools, and vocational colleges. The number of first-time enrollments and new registrations in teacher training programs could be increased by more than ten percent for the winter semester. “In response to the shortage of teachers, for the winter semester 2023/24, TU Dortmund University has created additional study places in the particularly in-demand teacher training programs for primary schools and special education. With peer mentoring in teacher training, we focus on providing the best possible support to our students in the initial stages of their journey towards a teaching career,” says Dr. Hanna Altmeppen, Managing Director of the Center of Teacher Training.

The scientific coordination of the program is in the responsibility of Eva Sara Kubitzek: “Teacher training students who sign up as mentors in the program often wished for more support themselves at the beginning of their studies, e.g. in making contacts with fellow students, finding their way around the campus, or managing their time during the first exam phase. Peer mentoring in teacher training starts exactly there and creates spaces where fellow students can network and share tips with each other.”

For a successful start in a teacher training career

Peer mentoring in teacher training is part of the project “talents4teachers / teachers4talents” (t4t), which has been funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia since 2021 as part of the Ruhr Conference to strengthen equal opportunities in the Ruhr area. The project aims to win over students for a teacher training degree, support teacher training students on their way to starting their career, and to sensitize prospective teachers to educational justice in teaching. The Talent Scouting program at TU Dortmund University also contributes by showing students paths to a teacher training degree regardless of their origin. TU Dortmund University, along with Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen, promotes the t4t project in the University Alliance Ruhr.

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