With many teachers across the globe faced with teaching remotely for the first time, one online education expert is helping them get the support they need.

TwoSigmas (part of Tes) have contacted their database of 180,000 online teachers and created a mentoring program. The simple initiative allows teachers entering the world of e-learning to connect with someone more experienced.

Having launched the program on Wednesday 18 March and already have 90 registered mentors.  

Click to find e-learning mentors online 

“We wanted to do something to help brick-and-mortar schoolteachers who’ve been thrown in the deep end of remote teaching,” says Sarah Abram, developer for the program.

“We realised that our experienced online teachers would be the perfect people to help them get started.”

“Hopefully, this peer support will give isolated teachers the confidence and tools they need to do the best they can for their students in this difficult time, and make it a little less stressful for everyone, Abram explains.”

The program has initially launched as a simple list of mentors that are currently online, and a link to an webinar space where teachers can speak with them.

“We didn’t want to be overly prescriptive, or complicated, when planning what form this help might take,” says Abram. “The important thing was to make the connections, then let our online teachers do what they do best.”

For experienced online teachers who want to offer mentoring support there is a sign-up form where you can share a link to a webinar space and your availability.

I’d like to become an e-learning mentor

If the take-up continues TwoSigmas have plans in place to install additional community tools and the functionality for mentors to manage a queue of teachers.

TwoSigmas are an online and international teaching agency. They became part of Tes in December 2019.