To become a mentor and support participants in the LOT program, an ECE must first go through the online course as a participant, and then apply to become a mentor. Accepted mentors participate in 4 weeks of mentorship training. This model reflects the principles of a learning circle, learning with and from one another.
Mentors receive a professional development certificate (8-10 hours) as well as a honorarium in appreciation of their support to the participants.
Call for Mentors
Join our newsletter to hear when the mentorship application opens, or follow ECEBC or BCACCS on social media. The online application form will be open for 2-3 weeks and all applicants will be notified of whether or not they have been selected.
Training of mentors
Mentors participate in a 4 week online course and meet weekly in small groups, supported by a “facilitator”. The Facilitators are ECEs who have previously worked as Mentors. (Facilitator applications open and are advertised at the same time as Mentorship applications.)
Support Participants
Work through the 10-module LOT program with your participants. Meet as a group to discuss each module. Track participation and support individuals as needed. Additional meetings are scheduled to allow you to connect with your peer mentor group. Note that the program is spaced out to allow for “catch up” weeks as well as a longer break over the winter holidays.
Closing & Celebration
Collect any photos, quotes, poems or art from your group to be included in the celebration showcase. Send your administrative documents in to support professional development certificates and honorarium payments. Attend the celebration!
You are welcome to apply to be a mentor if you completed the LOT program. Completion means finishing 10 (or more) modules on the HUB and that you attended at least 70% of the group meetings when you were a participant.
Yes, both.
There is a 4-module mentorship course program to support skill development and think through group dynamics.
Mentors initially meet weekly, and then as needed, with a small group of peer mentors and a “facilitator”. This allows mentors to address any emerging challenges together, and support one another, during the participant program.
Note: this means you must have the time in your schedule for a one hour meeting with your participant group AND a one hour meeting with your peer mentors.
In the mentorship application form prospective mentors are asked when they would like to have their weekly meeting with participants. Program administers try to match participants with mentors based on the mentor’s schedule.
As facilitators are recruited, they are asked for their availability to meet with their small group of mentors. The list of possible meeting times is included in the mentorship application form and prospective mentors are advised to mark all times they are potentially available, to improve their chances of being selected.
Yes.
As much as possible, we try to recruit a diverse group of mentors. We want mentors that live in every health authority, work in all types of child care programs, and have a wide variety of self-identities.
Additionally, we always want a mix of new and returning mentors, to best support peer learning and participant growth.
We anticipate recruiting 3 facilitators and 24 mentors each “cohort” or each time we offer the LOT program. However, recruitment may vary as it is always dependent on funding.
The online application form will be open for 2-3 weeks each summer. To learn when the application form will be open, join our newsletter or follow ECEBC or BCACCS on social media.
Yes, the training is free.
Please note that the training is only open to those who have completed the LOT participant program.
Mentors receive a professional development certificate for 8-10 hours for their participation in the mentorship modules and 4 weekly meetings.
Mentors also receive an honorarium of $2,000 in recognition of the time spent supporting the participants.
The content for the mentorship program was developed by Karolyn Hendra and Liz Brown. Numerous individuals provided additional feedback, insight and support. We are incredibly grateful to all those who generously provided their time, stories, wisdom, and insights.
View the Mentor's Policy below:
LOT Mentors Policy (PDF)