Heads & Tales - Haili Hughes
This week we are delighted to welcome Haili Hughes, Principal Lecturer in Mentoring and Professional Development at the University of Sunderland.
Haili, your journey in education is captivating. Can you share a bit about your background and your current roles?
I'm currently a principal lecturer in Mentoring and Professional Development at the University of Sunderland. It's a role that allows me to explore my passion for guiding educators on their growth paths. Additionally, I hold the position of head of education at IRIS Connect, where I collaborate with more than 4000 schools, fostering a culture of learning and improvement.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey with mentors?
During my formative years, I didn't have a traditional mentor figure, but I found inspiration in journalists like Piers Morgan and Matthew Wright. Their success drove me towards my chosen paths in teaching and journalism. As I evolved in my career, I encountered mentors who played vital roles in shaping my understanding of mentorship and its significance.
How did these experiences shape your perspective on mentoring?
Interacting with mentors highlighted that effective mentorship transcends merely providing advice. It's about being a scaffold for growth, offering unwavering support, and sharing wisdom grounded in personal experience. For me, mentoring became a collaborative journey centered around dialogue and active listening.
How does mentoring fit within the educational landscape, particularly in schools?
Mentoring holds immense potential in schools, benefiting both students and educators. It provides students with a platform for in-depth discussions, guiding them towards comprehensive learning. Simultaneously, for teachers, having skilled mentors can catalyze personal and professional development, ultimately enhancing student achievement.
Could you delve into the strategies for educators to enhance their mentoring skills?
Effective mentoring hinges on the art of dialogue and the finesse of active listening. Mentors should cultivate the skill of asking probing questions that encourage mentees to articulate their thoughts. Furthermore, modeling best practices and offering practical advice are pivotal. It's about equipping mentors with a diverse toolkit while maintaining adaptability to cater to each mentee's unique needs.
One aspect that caught our attention is your ongoing doctorate in education. Could you shed light on your research focus and its significance?
My doctorate from the University of Glasgow centers on the effects of COVID-19 on experienced teachers. This research is particularly timely, given the unprecedented challenges the pandemic posed to educators worldwide. I believe that understanding these challenges is crucial for shaping the future of education.
What are the changes or innovations you'd like to witness in the education realm?
I'm fervently drawn to the idea of cultivating spaces for students to engage in meaningful discussions. Schools should foster environments that nurture collaborative learning. Additionally, offering flexibility to educators is pivotal. In a world emphasizing work-life balance, granting teachers more flexible roles could positively impact retention rates.
Addressing teacher retention, what strategies do you believe could make a difference?
Teacher retention is a multifaceted challenge. One approach is acknowledging and valuing experienced educators. This involves extending financial incentives that extend beyond attracting new teachers. Concurrently, providing teachers with more flexible work arrangements to achieve healthier work-life balances could significantly impact retention rates.
What's on the horizon for you in the education field?
The future is brimming with exciting possibilities. My aspiration is to work towards a professorship at my university, furthering my passion for mentorship and education. I've recently inked contracts for three forthcoming books, each delving into distinct facets of education. Additionally, I'm contemplating pursuing a postgraduate certificate in coaching and mentoring to amplify my expertise.