What makes a great mentor?

North Island College Early Childhood Care and Education programs believe that great mentors: 

• Are ECEs with current certification (I/T and SN certificate if applicable).
• Have completed mentor training such as the Mentorship in Early Childhood Education training modules developed by Selkirk College and Northern Lights College.
• Are open to a non-hierarchical collaborative relationship, where mentors and students each have opportunities to teach and to learn about different cultures, theoretical perspectives, and pedagogical approaches.  
• Are able to articulate their personal and program philosophies, and the commitments behind the pedagogical choices that are made in their program.  
• Have strong, respectful communication skills. 
• Understand that each student is unique and has different strengths and needs. 
• Strive to have a thorough understanding of the current ECE landscape in British Columbia. This includes knowledge of the language and principles of practice in the current BC Early Learning Framework (2019), the ECEBC Code of Ethics (2021), current licensing regulations, and changes to programs, policies and advocacy work at local and provincial levels as these continue to evolve. More information can be found at the following sites:
  • ECEBC
  • ECEBC Position Paper: The Role of the Early Childhood Educator
  • Peer Mentoring Program for Early Childhood Educators in BC
  • BC Early Learning Framework Training Modules
  • Early Childhood Pedagogy Network
  • Indigenous Early Years Kinship
  • Childcare BC
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation