ECF Mentor of the Month Case Study
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ECF Mentor of the Month Case Study
As the new school year begins, 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 on the programme, attendance at events, and nominations from their headteacher or Induction Tutor.
This month, we are thrilled to announce Emily Currah from Park Hall Junior Academy as our 'Mentor of the Month'. We had the pleasure of speaking with Emily about her journey as a mentor and the valuable skills she has gained from her time on the Early Career Framework.
What is your role within the school?
I’m now in my fifth year of teaching and currently serve as the Year 4 Lead and the Art & Design Lead at my school. In addition to these roles, I also mentor three Early Career Teachers, supporting their growth and development on their teaching journey.
How long have you been a Mentor and how many Early Career Teachers do you support?
I am currently going into my second year as an Early Career Mentor. Over the last year I have mentored two ECTs, who are now going into their second year of teaching. This month I have started to mentor an ECT who is starting their first year.
What aspects of being an Early Career Mentor do you find most rewarding, and why?
I have enjoyed mentoring my ECTs over the past year and have found it rewarding being a part of their teaching journey and seeing them flourish within the school. It has been lovely to see how they have grown their confidence and have become more independent in their decisions.
From your time on the programme, what skills have you developed and how has it helped you to support your ECTs?
Since joining the programme, I have adopted the ONSIDE approach and ensure that I am using it to help me support my ECTs. Through the resources and mentor training sessions, I have strengthened my skills to be a non-judgemental mentor allowing ECTs to identify and share their strengths and areas of development with myself. I have learnt how to make sure that the needs of the ECTs are at the centre of the support I provide and tailor guidance to meet these needs. I feel like I have built a very supportive working relationship with my ECTs and use my own experiences from being an ECT to provide them with the guidance they need.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an Early Career Mentor?
If anybody is considering being an Early Career Mentor, I would say that it is a rewarding role. As an ECT it can be quite daunting being in a new school and having your own classes for the first time. Having a mentor who is a friendly, supportive face amongst it all is important. As a mentor, you are there to guide and support the ECT in the first years of their career and help them to strengthen and develop their own teaching skills. It is lovely to see how they grow as teachers during their time as an ECT and to be a part of that journey.
Being a mentor helps you to reflect, learn and develop your own teaching skills. Through the programme, you have access to lots of useful resources and case studies to develop different teaching strategies.
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)