The Beatles had it right when they sang about getting by with a little help from their friends.
In order to achieve anything monumental in your life, you cannot do it alone.
It takes a village to tackle anything significant.
Your ECE teacher certification is no different.
External mentorship can amplify the impact your own mentor can have and what you can achieve during this important 2-year career period.
Let’s take a look into the concept of external membership and the benefits it can have on your teaching pathway.
What is External Mentorship?
When we talk about external mentorship, we are referring to the act of finding an experienced mentor outside your ECE Centre to support you during your provisional teaching period.
Usually, you would select someone with long-standing experience in the ECE sector and who has the knowledge and ability to mentor you in this area. That way, you can benefit from the entre-specific expertise of your centre mentor and the industry expertise of an external mentor.
Selecting the right external mentor is important as you’ll need to develop a relationship of confidence and trust. This close bond will be essential for maximising the benefits available from external mentorship.
The Benefits of an External Mentor
Why would you choose to work with an external mentor as well as your centre-based mentor?
These are just some of the reasons why:
- Diverse Perspective: An external mentor can bring insights and perspectives from outside your specific centre. They can offer fresh ideas, alternative approaches, and a broader view of the early childhood education landscape.
- Development Opportunities: With two mentors on hand, you’ll have access to a wider range of development opportunities. Each of your mentors may specialise in a different area or have unique expertise, allowing you to develop a more comprehensive skill set.
- Holistic Support: Centre-specific mentors provide guidance specifically tailored to the context of your ECE Centre, including its policies, practices, and culture. External mentors can then complement this support by offering a broader perspective and potentially help you navigate any challenges that may arise within your centre.
- Personal Growth: With input from two mentors, you can develop a personalised growth plan that addresses both your individual needs and the requirements of the early childhood education system in New Zealand. This ensures a more holistic approach to professional development.
- Accountability and Growth: Having two mentors allows you to receive feedback from different sources. This can enhance your accountability and help to promote continuous improvement. You can benefit from the diverse perspectives of your mentors to shape your practice, allow you to identify areas for growth and refine your teaching skills more effectively.
The idea of having two mentors might feel like too many cooks spoiling the broth, but in this instance, that is not the case at all. Having an external mentor and a centre-specific mentor can create a triangular relationship where everyone gains.
Triangular Mentoring Relationship
You get the benefit of two very different perspectives – one that is focused on your centre and a more holistic, overarching view. Together, you can become a powerful trio hyperfocused on your individual success, growth and goals.
The beauty of this dual mentorship arrangement is that you have endless wrap around support that is both practical and proactive. You can discuss what you are working on – whether it be an Inquiry or your teaching practice – then gain feedback and direction.
An external mentor can enable you to take your focus to the next level by helping you establish how your work will benefit your Centre in the first instance, then how it aligns with your own vision and teaching practices to move you forward in your progression goals.
Introducing the Kete Ako Support Program
Achieving your full teaching certification is going to require motivation and direction. That is exactly what the Kete Ako program will support you with.
Setting you on the path to success from the very start of the certification period, Kete Ako gives you 6 months of support and guidance from an experienced mentor who is passionate about helping you shape your teaching practices.
Working alongside your centre mentor, we’ll operate in partnership with your centre processes and align with your inquiries and goals. Together, we will unpack your role and responsibilities, and align with Our Code Our Standards to ensure you have full clarity and direction for the certification path ahead.
Here is what you can expect from the Kete Ako Support Program:
- 6 months of guidance and support
- Gain a foundational understanding of the essential elements of the certification program so you know exactly what is required
- Connections and support from an experienced ECE mentor, right from the get-go
- Ensure you understand the Inquiry process and what you need to do during each of your Inquiries
- Regular, prioritised time for meaningful discussion and brainstorming – including exploring and familiarising yourself with your centre’s professional growth cycle and unpacking the standards aligned with your inquiry/goals and everyday teaching practices.
- Guidance on the actions you need to take as you progress with your certification journey
- Tailored support to meet your needs – this is not a cookie cutter program!
Is it time to build a strong foundation for provisional teaching success?
Then, reach out to me now to see if the Kete Ako program is right for you. Able to act as a stand-alone mentorship option or to enrich the mentoring you are already receiving, this is what you need to make your provisional teaching period as successful as possible.
To find out more about Kete Ako, click here or call to discover more about my specialised Kete Ako programme for Provisional Certified Teachers today.
I have a couple of resources available to make the process of working through your inquiries smoother, “A Guide to Implementing Teaching Inquiry” and “The Roadmap”. Information is available here. For more about the inquiry cycle, and this provides questions to provoke reflective thinking: https://steppingforwardtosuccess.co.nz/everything-you-need-know-about-the-inquiry-cycle/
The Roadmap can also give you access to other teachers at the same stage as you via a private Facebook group to connect and ask questions. Find out more about the Roadmap here. Check it out here: https://steppingforwardtosuccess.co.nz/roadmap-navigating-ece-provisional-teaching/
Click here to read more about the Roadmap or click here to purchase the Roadmap to Certification e-book for Provisional Certified Teachers. Alternatively, if you are wanting to learn more about my packages, reach out today.
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