In Brief (TL;DR)
This comprehensive guide outlines the requirements, selection criteria, and key skills needed to embark on the path to becoming a tutor teacher.
A complete guide illustrating the service requirements, eligible qualifications, and key skills for being selected.
Discover the soft skills that make a difference in the selection process and in the effective performance of the role.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
The role of the tutor teacher represents one of the most significant innovations in the Italian school landscape, introduced to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world and to build a solid bridge between tradition and innovation. Originating from the reform outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), this role aims to personalize educational paths, enhance each student’s talents, and combat school dropout rates. In a European context that increasingly demands transversal skills and a Mediterranean culture that values interpersonal relationships, the tutor teacher emerges as a strategic pillar for a more inclusive and future-oriented school.
Officially introduced by Ministerial Decree No. 328 of December 22, 2022, the tutor teacher function became operational starting from the 2023/2024 school year. This role does not overlap with that of other teachers but acts as a mediator and facilitator, supporting students and their families during the delicate phases of choosing their academic and professional paths. The goal is to move beyond the traditional model of knowledge transmission and embrace an approach centered on personal growth, motivation, and the responsibility of each individual student, preparing them to build a solid life project.
The Strategic Role of the Tutor Teacher in Guidance
The tutor teacher plays a central role in the new school guidance system. Their main task is to guide and support groups of students, typically ranging from a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 50, throughout their growth journey. This figure helps each student become aware of their potential, develop their skills, and make informed and conscious choices for the future. The tutor does not merely provide academic support but acts as a true advisor for students and their families, especially during crucial transition moments between educational cycles or into the world of work.
One of the key activities of the tutor teacher is managing the student’s personal E-Portfolio. This is a digital tool that collects and documents the educational path, acquired skills, personalized experiences, and even a “masterpiece” chosen by the student for each school year. Through constant dialogue, the tutor helps the student reflect on their journey, highlight their talents, and integrate this information with data on the educational and professional needs of the local area. This innovative approach aims to strengthen the link between the school, the student, and the socio-economic context, promoting personalized and meaningful learning.
Preferred Requirements for Application
To apply for the role of tutor teacher, the Ministry of Education and Merit has outlined a series of preferred requirements, aimed at ensuring the presence of professionals with the appropriate experience and skills. Although not all are strictly mandatory, possessing them constitutes a priority criterion in the selection process. The first requirement concerns years of service: it is preferable to be a tenured teacher with a permanent contract and to have at least five years of service, even with fixed-term contracts. This criterion aims to select personnel with solid experience in the school environment.
Another fundamental requirement is having previously performed tasks similar to those of a tutor. Previous experience is valued, such as an instrumental role for guidance, a coordinator for combating school dropout, a tutor for the Pathways for Transversal Skills and Orientation (PCTO), or other activities related to inclusion. Finally, availability to hold the position for at least a three-year school period is required, thus ensuring continuity for the project and the relationship with students. These criteria, decided by the Faculty Board, guide the School Principal in choosing the most suitable candidates.
The Selection and Appointment Process
The process to become a tutor teacher begins with an initiative from the School Principal, who starts the internal selection procedure within the institution. Interested teachers submit their applications on a voluntary basis. The selection is made from among those who, preferably, meet the requirements established by the regulations and approved by the Faculty Board. The selected teachers are notified for the next phase via the “FUTURA PNRR” platform, the tool designated by the Ministry for managing these initiatives.
Once identified, teachers must participate in a specific training course, which is an essential condition for being appointed. This 20-hour training, managed by INDIRE, is delivered online and aims to provide the necessary skills to effectively perform the role. At the end of the course, and after verifying its successful completion, the School Principal proceeds with the official appointment of the tutor teachers for the relevant school year, in full respect of the prerogatives of the collegial bodies. The training completed does not oblige the teacher to accept the position, but it is a fundamental prerequisite. To learn more about the training methods, you can consult the complete guide to the 20-hour INDIRE courses.
Training: A Pillar for Innovation
Training is a crucial element in defining the professionalism of the tutor teacher. The course, managed by INDIRE through the “Scuola Futura” platform, is structured into online modules for a total of 20 hours and aims to provide a solid set of skills. The goal is to prepare teachers not only to manage operational tools like the E-Portfolio but also to develop skills in listening, counseling, and designing personalized guidance paths. While this training is a prerequisite for appointment, it is also an important professional development opportunity that is included in the teacher’s resume.
In addition to the initial course, further support activities and the promotion of communities of practice among teachers are planned. This systemic approach, also funded by the European Social Fund (FSE+), aims to create a network of professionals who can exchange effective experiences and strategies. Training is not a one-time event but is configured as a continuous process that enables teachers to innovate their teaching methods, orienting them towards the development of soft skills and the enhancement of talents—essential elements for guiding students toward conscious choices and a solid life project. This commitment to continuous training is in line with the need to increase your score in the rankings through qualifying courses.
Soft Skills and Evaluation
In addition to formal requirements, the tutor teacher is expected to have strong soft skills. The ability to establish a constant and empathetic dialogue with students and families is fundamental. Skills in planning, monitoring guidance paths, and observing class dynamics to identify each student’s strengths and areas for improvement are also necessary. The tutor must be a skilled mediator, capable of collaborating with the class council, the guidance teacher, and other school professionals to create an inclusive and stimulating learning environment. The goal is to make the student the protagonist of their own journey, aware of their aptitudes and motivations.
The selection of tutor teachers also takes into account a table for evaluating qualifications, which can be defined by each individual school during supplementary bargaining. In these evaluation tools, specific points are generally awarded for academic qualifications, such as degrees and post-graduate courses, and for professional qualifications, such as previous experience in similar roles. For example, training courses on guidance-oriented teaching, inclusion, or school dropout can confer additional points. The activity performed as a tutor is also financially compensated and can be valued for the purpose of teacher mobility, confirming the strategic importance of this role in the school system.
Conclusions
The introduction of the tutor teacher marks a significant turning point for the Italian school system, projecting it towards an educational model that blends the solidity of cultural tradition with the necessary drives for innovation required by the European context. This role is not a mere bureaucratic fulfillment but the embodiment of a new alliance between the school, students, and families, aimed at building personalized paths to success. Clear requirements, a transparent selection process, and targeted training are the pillars on which the effectiveness of this strategic role is founded.
The tutor teacher is called to be an expert guide, a mentor capable of recognizing and nurturing talents, supporting students not only through difficulties but also in developing their excellences. Through innovative tools like the E-Portfolio and constant dialogue, they contribute to reducing school dropout rates and promoting conscious choices, preparing young people to become active citizens and competent professionals. The investment in this role, supported by significant resources from the PNRR, represents a clear commitment to building a more equitable, inclusive school capable of meeting the challenges of the future by valuing the human capital that each student represents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main requirements to become a tutor teacher?
To apply for the role of tutor teacher, it is preferable to be a tenured teacher with a permanent contract and have at least five years of service. Other important requirements include having experience in similar roles, such as a guidance coordinator or a coordinator for combating school dropout, and expressing availability to hold the position for at least a three-year period. These criteria, while “preferred” and not mandatory, guide the selection made by the school principal.
How does the selection and appointment of a tutor teacher work?
The process begins with the school principal initiating an internal selection for volunteer teachers. Candidates deemed suitable based on the preferred requirements are admitted to a mandatory 20-hour training course managed by INDIRE. Only after successfully completing this training course does the school principal, after consulting the collegial bodies, proceed with the official appointment. The application and registration for the training take place through the ministerial platform “FUTURA PNRR”.
What are the fundamental duties of a tutor teacher?
The tutor teacher is responsible for supporting a group of students (between 30 and 50) in their personal and educational growth. Their main activities include helping each student complete and manage their E-Portfolio, a digital document that tracks their academic path and acquired skills. Additionally, they act as an advisor for families during moments of choosing educational and professional paths, facilitating constructive dialogue and supporting students in highlighting their talents and making conscious choices.
Is there compensation and an additional score for the tutor teacher role?
Yes, financial compensation is provided for the role of tutor teacher, ranging approximately from €2,850 to €4,750 gross per year, as defined in the school’s supplementary bargaining agreement. Furthermore, the position is certified and included in the teacher’s professional resume. The attribution of a specific score for mobility and internal school rankings is also being discussed, as recognition of the strategic value of this function.
Is the training to become a tutor teacher mandatory?
Yes, participation in the 20-hour online training course, managed by INDIRE, is an essential requirement to be appointed as a tutor teacher. However, completing the training does not obligate one to accept the position. The course is preparatory and aims to provide all the necessary skills to best perform the required functions, from using digital tools to dialogue and guidance techniques.
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