Character Strengths and Virtues of Mentor Teachers

Abstract

Trainee and beginner teachers are introduced to the internal world of the school by mentor teachers, who also support their young colleagues during their process of socialisation as teachers. Mentor teachers provide beginners with advice and suggestions as well as professional and personal support and models. Mentors are faced with a variety of expectations. In our study, we used the Values-In-Action (VIA) questionnaire to find out what strengths and virtues mentor teachers have. It is important to make mentors aware of their own strengths for several reasons. If they can apply these in their teaching work, it can become a calling and they can be fulfilled by it as well as be protected against burnout.