5 lessons from supporting virtual placement students
It has been over a year since we entered our first provincewide shutdown and we experienced what seems like the longest March Break ever. I don’t think any of us anticipated that we would soon be supporting over 300 ECE placement students virtually. However, that is exactly what we did in our YMCA Child and Family Development programs and we learned a lot along the way.
- Flexibility is essential
Between provincial lockdowns, school closures and operating emergency child care centres, we learned quickly that in order to move forward, we needed to go with the flow. I am so grateful to all of the staff members who put their heads together and worked as a team to support placement students virtually throughout in a challenging and ever-changing environment. It was the staff mentors’ flexibility that truly allowed a small project, supporting 20 students virtually, to turn into 300 quality virtual opportunities. We had a plan A, B and C, but we also learned to scratch those plans when needed and to pivot when necessary. Flexibility continues to be the name of the game.
- Quality relationships can be nurtured virtually
One of the biggest concerns when starting virtual ECE placements was whether placement students and their staff mentors could truly have a quality experience and be able to develop relationships virtually. As noted from a Seneca College field placement advisor: “The positive feedback from both students and mentors has been unreal.”
Mentors have been able to share their experience and knowledge with their students in meaningful ways. Placement students have been able to support staff mentors virtually and develop amazing activities for children that have been implemented in our YMCA Child Care and Before & After School programs.
- New things can be scary but fun, too!
When starting something new, it can feel a bit scary because we don’t exactly know what to expect. We wanted to put our best foot forward and make a good impression on our placement students and school partners. Worries set in because working with students virtually was unlike anything we had done before, but in the end it was so worthwhile.
As one staff mentor explains, “To be honest, when first approached about this idea, I was tad apprehensive…The addition of managing our centre during the pandemic has significantly added to my workload. I almost asked to be excluded from this opportunity, but decided to carry on. Am I ever glad that I did. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a mentor!”
- College connections are important
Throughout this process, our post-secondary partners have been amazing partners and we have really developed relationships with them. We came together to create meaningful experiences for students and staff mentors. We continued to show that providing quality programs is our priority. As a field placement advisor said, “The YMCA staff are taking mentoring to a whole new level.” This is something to be proud of and to celebrate!
- We are all lifelong learners
As educators, we know the importance of ongoing professional development. Supporting students virtually just highlighted that we are truly learning new things all the time. We got creative, learned new technologies quickly and created many unique and innovative experiences for virtual placement students.
It has been a joy and a privilege to work with such dedicated and creative staff mentors, placement students and post-secondary partners. We are also thrilled to announce that many of these newly graduated ECEs will soon be starting their careers as YMCA educators in our Child and Family Development programs and we are already working with our post-secondary partners on our next cohort of virtual students!
-By Christina Bracamonte
