MENTORING a colleague has literally paid off for Mindarie Senior College associate principal Rick Gendle.
He was recognised at the annual WA College of Teaching Mentor Excellence Awards for professional excellence in the mentoring of fellow teacher Greta Casella.
Mr Gendle, who was nominated for the award by Ms Casella, received a $3000 cash award at the Beginning and Returning Teachers’ Seminar at the Vines Resort and Country Club on May 29.
More than 200 teachers travelled to Perth for the two-day seminar, which included a series of workshops on literacy and grammar, behaviour management and teaching environmental sustainability.
College board chairman Brian Lindberg said the awards recognised teachers who voluntarily acted as mentors to those starting out in their teaching careers.
Mr Gendle said being an informal adviser to teachers at the college over the past few years had helped him prepare for his role mentoring Greta.
“Being Greta’s mentor involved answering any questions she came to me with, trying to predict any problems Greta might encounter and helping to rectify those and liaising with parents and other teachers on Greta’s behalf where necessary,” he said.