EARCOS Leadership Mentoring (ELM): Join the Learning

The ELM initiative, EARCOS’ new member service began at the EARCOS Leadership Conference 2016. Some EARCOS members might remember the three-part series of ET articles published during the 2016/17 school year. These articles explained the EARCOS members’ participation in the overall program development, including the online orientation, application, and pairing processes. And, in just over a year, several pairs—mentee-mentor—were matched and are now engaged in professional partnerships. Currently, these pairs of EARCOS members are working together to support each other’s professional growth and development. The following testimonials are provided to encourage other EARCOS members to decide whether now is the right time to join the growing ELM cohort. If not now, please consider joining us in the near future.

EARCOS appreciates the following ELM participants taking time to reflect on their experiences. And, most importantly, we thank them for allowing us to share them with fellow EARCOS members.

ELM mentor, John Snowball, Head of Secondary at NIST International School describes a major goal of the program, which is the development of a mutual benefit partnership. John comments that “. . .the benefit of it for me is that it pushes me to think of why we’ve done things a certain way, was it the best. It’s really good reflection for me as well. It’s also a positive for the mentee to get more than one view as a way towards clarifying their thoughts. Plus, I think as I’ve had a great experience in international education, it’s a good thing to give something back.” Katie Ham, who serves as a Learning Strategist (Middle and Upper Schools), Teacher of English (MYP/DP), and Extended Essay Coordinator at Nanjing International School, is an ELM mentee. Katie’s remarks help describe the intended flexibility and informality of the program. She notes that “ . . .my mentor’s affable and easy approach made me feel at ease, and happy to share even my most rudimentary percolations. His experience and perspective provide an objective, sage lens through which to consider issues and topics of discussion, and our conversations are opportunities for me to talk through things and bounce around ideas. Never do I feel judged as we talk, but instead I always feel supported. We’ve no fixed sessions, but instead converse via Skype and over emails as things arise. I appreciate that flexibility—sometimes, just a note is enough, and other times a longer chat is more beneficial.”

Another pair of your EARCOS colleagues, Greg Hedger, Director of The International School Yangon and Tonya Parham, Director of Teaching and Learning for Secondary at Ruamrudee International School offered this joint observation about their experience thus far. “We’ve appreciated the opportunity to participate in the EARCOS mentor/mentee program. In addition to facilitating valuable relationships, it has provided an opportunity for both of us to learn from each other as we’ve discussed challenges of the job. It has also provided an invaluable opportunity to isolate time for learning. In addition, we believe it is very progressive for EARCOS to provide opportunities for women in leadership to be matched with a male mentor. It seems this rarely happens and has been a great opportunity to learn from each other and appreciate what each brings to the position.”

If you are passionate about leadership, wishing to collaborate with a like-minded EARCOS leader, and willing to share leadership expertise and experiences, consider joining upcoming online ELM orientations. And, if you are aspiring to become a school leader; or, you have recently been appointed to a school administrator position; or, you simply wish the benefit of another leader’s knowledge of a common initiative, or, desire to gain familiarity with a strategic innovation, complete the appropriate applications using the access code 2323.

You will find mentor and mentee applications and additional information on the EARCOS website at www.earcos.org under the “Other” pull down menu. The next online orientation begins mid April 2018 with another to follow in mid June. We welcome your application and look forward to facilitating your leadership mentoring needs.

Joe Petrone, PHD EARCOS Consultant