Making use of qualitative data collected from two elementary schools, this study examines
main factors that affect the quality of mentoring in those schools positively and negatively.
Major findings indicate that instructional mentoring in two elementary schools had taken
largely different forms, and thus produced varied effects. Concerning master teacher-related
factors that affect instructional mentoring, their experiences and perspectives as mentor
teachers influenced mentoring procedures and outcomes. This is because master teachers in
two elementary schools had different perspectives on what good teaching is and how to
help beginning teachers. On the other hand, beginning teacher-related factors such as their
recognition of needs, characteristics of assigned classroom, participating attitudes, and work
experience influenced their experience of being involved in mentoring. In addition,
principals’ view on the significance of mentoring and the school-wide professional culture
also appeared to affect instructional mentoring. Based on these results, this study provides
several implications that are useful in implementing mentoring in more fruitful ways.