Gyeonggi Office of Education Establishes 'Reliable' Support System for New and Low-Experience Teachers

Lim Tae-hee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education is establishing a ‘Dundun’ support system for new and early-career teachers.

The main components of the ‘Dundun’ support system include ▲strengthening the mentoring system utilizing various networks ▲establishing and operating an ‘adaptation period for new teachers’ ▲enhancing administrators’ capabilities to improve the rationality of teacher job placement.

First, the Office of Education will enhance teachers’ adaptation to the profession through mentoring between experienced senior teachers and new (early-career) teachers. To this end, a mentor group with rich educational experience will be established and operated centered on the Office of Education.

Additionally, educational research associations and local learning communities within the province will run separate projects to strengthen the research capabilities of new (early-career) teachers and support teaching and learning.

Furthermore, support for regional teacher clubs and teacher learning communities will be strengthened so that new (early-career) teachers can share difficulties with colleagues and exchange cases related to job performance.

The Office of Education will designate the first six months after appointment as the ‘adaptation period’ to support new teachers’ stable settlement at schools and enhancement of job competencies.

During this period, support will be provided considering school conditions and situations, including ▲job analysis of teaching duties ▲customized training support ▲professional consulting in various teaching areas.

The Office of Education will also promote training to strengthen administrators’ capabilities in school organization and personnel management to ensure rational job placement for new teachers.

Lee Hyun-sook, Director of the Teacher Personnel Division at the Office of Education, stated, "Supporting the development of professional capabilities and values of new and early-career teachers requires the efforts of the entire educational community," adding, "We will continue to strengthen on-site, close support to protect teachers’ educational activities through ‘Dundun’ support."