ECF Mentor of the Month Case Study
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ECF Mentor of the Month Case Study
As the new academic year is underway, we are excited to continue celebrating Early Career Mentors and their vital contributions to the success of the Early Career Framework. The 'Mentor of the Month' award allows us to recognise those who go above and beyond to support their Early Career Teachers (ECTs).
Winners of this award are chosen based on their engagement with the programme, attendance at events, and nominations from their headteacher or induction tutor.
This month, we are thrilled to announce Joe Costidell from Ercall Wood Academy as our 'Mentor of the Month'. We had the pleasure of speaking with Joe about his journey as a Mentor and the valuable skills he has gained from his time on the Early Career Framework.
What is your role within the school?
I am a History teacher, coach and ECT mentor at Ercall Wood Academy.
How long have you been a Mentor and how many Early Career Teachers do you support?
I have been mentoring from very early on in my career and have been involved with PGCE students and ECTs for the past 4 years. Currently I am supporting one ECT in the Humanities department at my school.
What aspects of being an Early Career Mentor do you find most rewarding, and why?
I think the observational aspects of mentoring are very rewarding. Teachers are always busy, and whilst seeing fellow professionals is a great way to improve, it’s not always easy to find the time. That’s why I find the observations fantastic. As an Early Career Mentor, I really like seeing my ECTs add new things to their practice that they tried out themselves or that we have discussed in our meetings. Whilst developing their practice professionally, it also helps me to reflect on my own teaching as I am able to learn from them.
From your time on the programme, what skills have you developed and how has it helped you to support your ECTs?
The ECF has helped me to develop many skills, but the biggest would be articulating feedback. Feedback is such a powerful tool in teaching, and for ECTs especially. As a Mentor, being able to give useful, purposeful and easy-to-implement feedback, is massively important. This is a skill that I have really developed since I became a Mentor. When I plan for my ECT sessions, I like to pick out small details and examples from their lessons. This ensures that each session we have is purposeful for my ECT.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an Early Career Mentor?
Joe was nominated for this award by his Induction Tutor, Samantha Morris and this is what she has to say;
"Joe has gone above and beyond to support his ECT - he is mentoring an ECT outside of his subject area and has made a conscious effort to upskill himself in the ECTs curriculum. He conscientiously engages in the self-directed study, seeks support when needed and has really developed in his role as a Mentor. Most importantly, he is able to take on board the learning from the ECF and provided tactile examples of how that learning works within our context. As a result, his ECT is making great progress."
Do you know an Early Career Mentor that goes above and beyond? Nominate them below:
Looking for more information?
Find out more about our Early Career Framework programme here
If you would like any more information on our ECF programme, get in contact with us:
Email: ecf@bestpracticenet.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 117 920 9200 (8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)