ECF | Mentor of the Term
ECF | Mentor of the Term
We are excited to continue celebrating ECT Mentors and their vital contributions to the success of the Early Career Framework. The 'Mentor of the Term' 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 ECF Induction Tutor.
This month, we are thrilled to announce Nancy Parman from Manningtree High School as our 'Mentor of the Term'. We had the pleasure of asking Nancy about her journey as an ECT Mentor, and the valuable skills she has gained from her time on the Early Career Framework.
What is your role within the school?
I am both a Spanish Teacher and the Coordinator for PSHE and Citizenship.
How long have you been an ECT Mentor, and how many Early Career Teachers do you support?
I have been a mentor for trainees for about seven years and a mentor for ECTs for just over one year. I currently support two ECTs.
What aspects of being an ECT Mentor do you find most rewarding, and why?
What I find rewarding is keeping the Early Career Teachers in education and knowing that the students are benefiting from their growing knowledge and experience.
From your time on the programme, what skills have you developed and how has it helped you to support your ECTs?
I have benefited most from the idea of being an "ONSIDE mentor". I am with them in a supportive role, not a critical one. Once we have a relationship where they trust me, they are more open to feedback and working together.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an ECT Mentor?
My advice is to try and build a personal relationship by listening and offering empathy.
Nancy was nominated for this award by her school. This is what they had to say:
"Nancy has been an outstanding mentor to a number of our staff but particularly with Bridgette. She had to change her original mentor and Nancy stepped in. Nancy superbly supported her by many lesson visits with effective feedback, supported her in the design of the curriculum (Nancy is not a Technology specialist but did her own research into the curriculum) and of course provided crucial well being support. I very much doubt that anyone else could provide this level of personalised and contextualised support. Bridgette has just passed her ECT 2 and this is very much down to the care, support and challenge from Nancy. In addition Nancy helps run a teaching and learning club at lunchtimes in which ECTs are welcome to join staff in discussing latest research and current teacher issues. "
Do you know an Early Career Mentor who goes above and beyond? Nominate them below:
Nominate a Mentor
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: 0117 920 9200 (8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)