Professional mentorship for women educators in government schools

Discusses the use and development of mentorship as a policy mechanism designed to promote the career development and advancement of women in the context of educational administration in government schools in Australia. The reason mentorship is the particular factor which has been identified to assist women educators′ careers here is that over the last decade there has been a general consensus by researchers in both academic and managerial circles that mentorship is a significant career tool, and a prerequisite for career success for both males and females. Access to a mentor, an older and more experienced career professional who is able to use his or her influence and power in assisting a young and up‐and‐coming protégé, has been closely associated with career advancement. Because women experience difficulties in securing traditional mentoring relationships, it is argued here that a mentorship policy will positively influence the career prospects of women educators by enabling them to be part of the power structures in educational administration.