"Nexus University Mentor"

Job Description

Overview:

As a Nexus University Mentor, you will play a vital role in contributing positively to the experiences of both Nexus pre-service teachers (PSTs) and schools within the Nexus Program. This unique pathway into primary and secondary teaching is specifically designed to recruit, prepare, and support teachers for often hard-to-staff regional, rural, and urban low socio-economic status schools. As an employment-based, highly mentored teacher education program, Nexus involves collaboration between the university, schools, and local communities to prepare capable, community-informed teachers.

About Nexus:

Nexus stands as a social justice-oriented pathway into the teaching profession. It is designed to contribute highly skilled teachers to schools facing significant challenges. Selection for the program is based on a candidate's demonstrated commitment to social justice, exceptional interpersonal skills, and determination to excel as a teacher. The program is a thought-provoking, demanding, and inspiring journey, with dedicated support throughout. Noteworthy for its innovation, the Nexus Program integrates three key components: coursework, paid employment in the assigned Nexus school, and exclusive intensives tailored to address the specific skills and knowledge crucial for success in regional, remote, and economically disadvantaged schools. An important aspect of Nexus is our mentoring program which is underpinned by reflective learning relationships and an enquiry-based framework. You can learn more about Nexus here: latrobe.edu.au/nexus

Role Description:

In this position, you will contribute to enhancing the reputation of Nexus as a preferred employment-based pathway for low socio-economic status schools. Your effective communication skills, both written and oral, will enable you to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Working collaboratively as a team member, you will build positive relationships within Nexus staff, PSTs, principals, and school mentors.

Specific Tasks:

Your responsibilities will encompass fostering positive relationships with Nexus staff, PSTs, principals, and school mentors. Providing relevant information to these stakeholders is essential to support the Nexus Program. You'll facilitate the Nexus mentoring program by organising and conducting school visits, providing feedback to Nexus PSTs on their classroom teaching, and monitoring the general well-being and academic progress of Nexus PSTs.

Collaboration with school mentors is key to your role. This involves initiating discussions on Nexus PSTs' progress and the development of the school mentor role. Identifying ways in which school mentors can best support their Nexus PSTs is also an important part of being a University Mentor. Data reporting of school visits and identifying PSTs needing additional support will be part of your responsibility, requiring collaboration with other Nexus staff.

Maintaining sound lines of communication with Nexus staff to support PSTs with placement and coursework queries is crucial. Your participation in Nexus Professional Development sessions will contribute to the continuous improvement of the program.

Requirements of the role:

From 2026, Nexus University Mentors are allocated 9 hours per semester, per PST. This includes the following:

• 2 hr total of phone calls
• 2 hr school visit + 1 hr travel time
• 2 hr admin
• 2 hr online training = 9 hrs per semester per Nexus PST

Mentorship Training and Framework:

Your involvement in the initial mentorship training and introduction to the Nexus Mentoring Framework is a requirement of the role. Understanding school visit expectations and unpacking resources will set the foundation for effective mentorship. Throughout the program, you will arrange and conduct visits to Nexus PSTs, actively engaging in ongoing mentorship, providing guidance, and offering support.

Essential Criteria

1. Commitment to Social Justice and Understanding of Nexus Program Objectives:
   • Clear understanding of the objectives of the Nexus Program, including its focus on preparing teachers for challenging environments and its integration of coursework, employment, and exclusive intensives.
   • Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles, aligning with the ethos of the Nexus Program.
2. Effective Communication Skills:
   • Strong oral and written communication skills to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Nexus staff, PSTs, principals, and school mentors.
3. Collaborative Teamwork Skills:
   • Ability to work collaboratively as a team member, fostering positive relationships within the Nexus community, including staff, PSTs, and external partners.
4. Teaching and Mentoring Skills:
   • Classroom teaching experience (primary and/or secondary).
   • Previous experience in mentoring or teaching roles, showcasing the capacity to guide and support Nexus PSTs effectively.
5. Data Reporting and Analytical Skills:
   • Proficiency in data reporting related to school visits and the ability to identify PSTs needing additional support, showcasing analytical and problem-solving skills.

Essential Compliance Requirements

To hold this La Trobe University position the occupant must:

• Hold a teaching qualification - Bachelor degree or higher
• Hold current VIC registration or be willing to undertake and pass a Victorian Working with Children Check;
• Hold a current VIC driver’s licence; AND
• Take personal accountability to comply with all University policies, procedures and legislative or regulatory obligations; including but not limited to TEQSA and the Higher Education Threshold Standards.

How to apply:

Closing date: Expression of interest by 11.55pm on Friday 6th March, 2026

Position Enquiries: Katrina van Vuuren via email k.vanvuuren@latrobe.edu.au

Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:

• A cover letter addressing the essential criteria
• An up-to-date resume

Applications will not be considered if you do not include the above.

Rural and regional applicants are encouraged to apply.

Benefits:

Rate of Pay - Academic Casual rates as defined in the La Trobe University Enterprise Agreement 2023 (EA) (dependent upon individual teaching responsibilities, i.e. lectures, tutorials, marking, meetings, etc.)

Hours - Casual (hours are dependent upon individual teaching activities available and assigned.)