New Membership Service

New Membership Service >> EARCOS Leadership Mentorship: A status report for members

Introduction The recent EARCOS Leadership Conference (ELC) provided an opportunity for EARCOS to convene learning leaders from the region to participate in a pre-conference workshop on mentorship essentials. Also, it was a convenient occasion to share early design features of a new membership service – EARCOS Leadership Mentoring (ELM). Twenty-eight leaders attended the pre-conference and shared their insights, and suggestions for this new service.

Needs Assessment There was certain agreement that a mentorship option for the region’s newly appointed administrators and others moving to different roles, or facing new challenges would be a welcomed membership service. However, it became obvious near the beginning of the group’s work together that a clearer understanding of the region’s needs in the areas of mentoring and coaching were not precisely defined.

In order to learn more, EARCOS members will have an opportunity to complete a brief survey intended to identify “gaps” between current mentoring/coaching provisions and actual needs of EARCOS members. The results of this survey will be used to further inform

the development of the overall ELM program, which will include online exercises, intended to ensure that interested mentors and mentees “speak” the same language.

(Those members reading this article in our online environment will have received the needs assessment. Members reading the printed version of this article should contact jpetrone@earcos.org for a copy of the survey, please.)

Common Language Modules Learning matter experts and instructional designers are being sorted to develop a series of eight (8) online asynchronous “common language” modules. However, during the preconference, it was made apparent that members were keenly interested in making available virtual (synchronous), role-play components and personal face-toface opportunities.

Apart from the necessity of a quality and functional online environment, the importance of a common grounding for mentor and mentee in essential elements of mentorships became evident. And, the ELC pre-conference content will be used to begin the assembly of “common language” modules. Key ingredients for these common

language modules are: • Leadership Standards – Heads of School and Principals • Styles: Mentoring People with Different Orientations • Adult Learning Theory • Models of Mentoring

Diversity Perspective One of the topics of the pre-conference was the importance of possessing a diversity perspective. The understanding gained through cross-cultural exchanges, thinking and actions is a necessity for international learning leaders. Such a pluralistic view predicts that mentors and mentees have the requisite sensitivities to fully engage in a multi-cultural, and otherwise diverse environment. Modules will include the integration of diversity perspectives and interpretations. between individual mentors and mentees. Also, the option would be made available to mentors and mentees to access a shared-issue network. This complimentary social media channel could extend the collaborative community beyond the individual (mentor-mentee) relationship to a more inclusive involvement across the EARCOS region.

Next Steps Our aims in the coming months – December – February 2017 – are to liaise with the pre-conference facilitators and others who have expressed interest in serving on the implementation task force to: 1. review the results of the needs assessment; 2. consider the initial module development proposals; 3. confirm application process and pairing survey and 4. invite interested mentors and mentees to join the first cohort and to enroll in the common language modules.

Other content will be identified from the results of the needs assessment survey. This content will be integrated into the modules, as indicated following the analysis of the needs assessment results.

Blended Model – Coach and Mentor The ELC pre-conference facilitators and participants embraced a blended model – coaching and mentoring – for the final development of ELM. It was evident that the EARCOS model should carefully balance mentoring aspects, such as, teaching, supporting and guiding with coaching aspects that lead to the self-discovery of solutions for challenges that international learning leaders face daily.

Deliberate Pairing One of the most important steps leading to a quality mentoring relationship is properly pairing the mentor and mentee. This step in the ELM initiative will require an application process designed to produce a valued partnership. Therefore, it is expected that both mentors and mentees derive maximum benefits from the relationship. The application process, including a brief questionnaire is being designed to help determine the type of mentoring relationship that is desired. It will likely include a request for demographics and contact details from the interested mentee and mentor. Also, it is anticipated that this activity will require a short self-assessment to determine: • achievable objectives; • highest priority criteria (3 or 4); • ideal profiles for mentor and mentee.

The participants, during the ELC pre-conference thought some sort of commercially available type or style delineators should be required. The information derived from such an instrument would help mentor and mentee discover their own personal tendencies, traits as a team member, communication style, emotional acumen, decision-making tendencies, energy abilities and more.

Social Media Tools The ELC pre-conference participants felt that clearly defined mentorship social media channels would be useful tools for expanding networks and strengthening mentor-mentee relationships.

Conclusion Thanks to Margaret Alvarez, Liz Duffy, Anna Marsden for facilitating the ELC pre-conference workshop. Subsequently, we have heard from others expressing interest in serving as a mentor, mentee or member or as a member of the implementation task force. Also, thanks go to Brady Cline, High School Learning Innovation Coach at ASIJ for suggesting and taking on the development of a needs assessment survey. His analysis of the result will greatly assist the finishing stage of common language modules. Finally, we wish to extend our appreciation to all volunteers wishing to see a collaboratively designed, customized and quality EARCOS Leadership Mentoring program reach fruition.

By Joe Petrone, EARCOS Assistant Director

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Campus Development >> Kaohsiung American School: State-of-the-Art Campus

Kaohsiung American School (KAS) recently completed an impressive building project that resulted in a state-of-the-art campus. Tom Farrell, Superintendent of KAS and Yu-lin Chen, renowned architect, joined together with the KAS school community to create spaces that, in the words of the architect, “strive(s) to nurture its students to become world citizens through a community of teachers and classmates of various nationalities as well as diverse educational methods”.

“The sequential spatial flow” reflects a curriculum-based, LEED approved, transparent, and technology advanced school that is truly built for creativity and a liberal arts education. In addition to meeting the needs of KAS, this extraordinary learning environment has also been recognized as the cover story for Taiwan Architect Magazine of April 2016. The spatial quality includes building circulation that is both flexible and highly navigable and meets KAS’ high educational standards. This quality enables the school occupants to access all available resources with ease. Furthermore, the space encourages cross-pollination of various learning disciplines through integration and visual collaboration.

KAS is an example of the importance of thorough planning, education of the school community through out the planning and building process, and the essentiality of a positive, trusting relationship among school officials, the architect and builders. The entire school community is now celebrating a dream come true.

By Tom Farrell, Superintendent of KAS

Media center for discussions, creativity, and social media projects.

30 EARCOS Triannual Journal Electronic controlled blue curtain to split the gym. Bleachers seat 400. NBA cush- ioned Chairs. Gym cushioned with rubber pad under Maple hardwood floors.

Theater that seats about 400, under chair ac, built for acoustics with 14 curtains in walls.

Swimming pool with adjustable platform. The flotation bottom goes from 0-2 meters in 8 minutes.