Haili Hughes

Haili Hughes is an experienced educator, author and mentoring specialist, and the author of Mentoring in Schools: How to become an expert colleague – aligned with the Early Career Framework. She has been an English teacher, head of department and senior school leader for more than 15 years, and is widely recognised for her work in teacher development, mentoring and retention. She serves as Head/Director of Education at IRIS Connect and is a senior lecturer and teacher development/mentor lead at the University of Sunderland, roles in which she supports initial teacher training, the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications.

Hughes has authored several education books, including Preserving Positivity: Choosing to stay in the classroom and banishing a negative mindset and Humans in the Classroom: Exploring the lives of extraordinary teachers, and has contributed to resources such as Ready to Teach: An Inspector Calls. She speaks nationally and internationally on mentoring, instructional coaching and teacher retention, has been involved in Department for Education advisory work on initial teacher training quality, and has been elected to the council of the Chartered College of Teaching.