Rate My Professor Helen Trevethan

Dr. Helen Trevethan is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Doctor of Education (EdD) programme at the University of Otago College of Education. She earned her EdD and Master of Education (MEd) from the University of Otago, along with a Diploma of Teaching (DipTchg). Originating from a primary teaching background, Trevethan has transitioned into initial teacher education, where she plays a pivotal role in preparing future educators. Her teaching responsibilities span the Bachelor of Teaching and Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) programmes. Additionally, she delivers a postgraduate distance paper on mentoring and engages in the supervision of postgraduate students, contributing to advanced professional development in education.

Trevethan's research specializations include mentoring and beginning teaching, professional experience within initial teacher education, pedagogy encompassing beginning teaching, professional experience, and science education, as well as science learning in primary schools. Her scholarly output features prominent publications such as 'The art of prophesy: Selection for English-medium undergraduate initial teacher education programmes in New Zealand' in the New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies (2023). She co-authored 'Exploring beginning teachers’ experiences in a liminal phase: Influential encounters of consequential and authoritative reassurance' in the Cambridge Journal of Education (2025, advance online). Other contributions encompass conference proceedings including 'The Doctor of Education in New Zealand: Looking forward by looking back' (NZARE Conference, 2024), 'The role of consequential and authoritative reassurance in developing beginning teachers' professional identity' (NZARE Conference, 2024), and 'Influential encounters with authoritative reassurance: Beginning teachers' voices at a critical juncture' (AARE Conference, 2023). Through these works and her coordination of the EdD programme, Trevethan advances understanding and practices in teacher mentoring, professional experience, and science pedagogy in primary settings.