An Introduction to my Background and Work
Mark Smith is an innovative educator with over 30 years’ experience in the Victorian independent school system. He holds a Master of Education in gifted and talented education from Monash University, Melbourne, and has long been associated with the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC), where he also served as president between 2018 and 2021. His work in gifted and talented education has seen Mark create and implement multifaceted school-wide programs at some of Melbourne’s largest independent schools. Additionally, Mark is an author, having contributed to: “Differentiation for Gifted Students in Secondary School” Edited by Dr Susan Nikakis, in 2022. In 2024 his first solo publication, “Mentoring for Talent” was released. Both books were published by Amba Press.
A word about Mentoring and Coaching:
“While mentoring and coaching share some common approaches, they are largely different disciplines.
Mentoring is predominantly directive and relies on the vast experience and expertise of someone usually much older to share by example the possibilities for future mentee achievement. Clasen and Clasen (2003) define mentoring as a situation where an older, more experienced person works with a younger person or protege on teaching and training in a specific learning domain.
Coaching on the other hand, is participatory. The coach could be less experienced and of a similar age to the coachee. The coach asks questions and prompts thinking and action on the part of the coachee. Through coaching sessions, the onus is on the coachee being primed and conditioned to solve their own problems and self-monitor their progress and future actions.
The overlap lies in both practices involving intense listening, encouraging self-improvement, and providing a safe setting for honest sharing.”
Taken from “Mentoring for Talent” By Mark A. Smith (2024)