MENTORSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN BULGARIA
The report makes a brief analysis of the psychological and pedagogical literature on the issue of mentorship with teachers in the context of the inclusive education and the definitions of the term. Mentorship in the field of the inclusive education of teachers is a strategy of individual and institutional support which is fulfilled by the collaboration for learning of two persons and is predominantly targeted to professional development. It is a partnership, normally between two persons (mentor and mentee), who work in one sphere and share common experiences. Their partnership is based on beneficial relations, trust (confidentiality), protection, mutual confidence and respect. It emphasizes on the necessity to ensure effective mentorship for newly employed young teachers in order to develop their professional skills through a motivating environment in the process of inclusion of students with special educational needs.Socio-economic changes in the country and the modernization of training require a new approach to teachers' professional competence. Their professionalism is becoming a decisive factor in ensuring the quality of education.Main priority is to create conditions for developing the personality of the teacher, self-realization of his / her abilities, further training and development of his / her professional qualities.The professional training and development of future teachers is a unified, continuous and continuous process aimed at building personal qualities, professional competences, knowledge, skills and habits, adequate to his / her personal needs as well as to the qualification requirements for the occupation.Along with the motivational factors, the mentoring system plays a significant role in the development and improvement of teachers as professionals which is an integral part of the young professional's adaptation to the profession, its overall development and improvement.Often the words "mentor" and "perceptor" are used as synonyms and no distinction is made in their meaningful sound. Mentoring is a method that enables in particular disadvantaged groups to become more easily integrated into education or work. Mentoring has a relatively long history and is one of the first forms of learning and transferring socio-cultural experience.