STEAMe

EWC Mentorship Application for MENTORS

**** This application CLOSED on Friday, July 10th at 5pm. **** 

This ECE Mentorship initiative is a 1-year commitment which requires you to be working in the Early Childhood field with a minimum of 8 years of experience and commit to mentor a teacher in the City of Chicago. This program will begin Fall (August) of 2026-Spring (May) of 2027. You must be serving in the Early Childhood field in the City of Chicago (not currently teaching in the classroom). This mentorship initiative is offered through the Education Workforce Center at City Colleges of Chicago and proudly funded through the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. This program aims to support the growth of new teachers (mentee), that will be paired with a seasoned professional (mentor) in Early Childhood. This will be completed through personalized goal setting, action plans, observations and professional development. With the support of a mentor, both the mentor and mentee will work collaboratively to navigate personal and professional challenges, using an equitable, strengths‑based approach to identify solutions and promote growth.

If selected for the 2026–2027 Mentorship Cohort, you agree to become a member of the Education Workforce Center (EWC). The EWC provides a variety of supportive services designed to help Early Childhood Education Professionals grow and advance in their careers. Membership is free of charge. To learn more, visit www.chicagoewc.org.

To acknowledge the valuable work you will be contributing as a mentor, selected applicants will receive a $2,000 stipend annually. This program will require time outside of traditional work hours. For any questions please contact: The Education Workforce Center: ewc@ccc.edu

First Name *

Last Name *

Date of Birth

Email *

Phone number *

Home address *

City *

State

Home Zip Code

Gender *

We ask this to ensure our services are inclusive and accessible to all communities.

Race/Ethnicity *

We ask this to ensure our services are inclusive and accessible to all communities.

Place of Employment (Must be employed in Chicago) *

Employer Address *

City, State *

Work Zip Code

Have you ever been a recipient of any of the following scholarships? If so, please click all that apply

We ask this to ensure our services are inclusive and accessible to all communities.

What is your highest level of education? *

How long have you been in the Early Childhood Education field? *

What is your current position/title? (Mentors must not be teaching in the classroom) *

Have you ever taught in an Early Childhood Education (Birth - Pre-k) classroom? *

If you answered "Yes" above, please select all that apply. *

Please explain why this program is of interest to you and what makes you qualified to be a mentor? *

Please attach a letter of recommendation from (an employer, colleague, etc) describing what qualifications and characteristics make you a great mentor. *

If selected as a mentor, what professional development opportunities would you like to receive? Please select 2 topics *

I understand that this is a 1- year commitment that will begin in August 2026- May 2027. *

I understand that selection to the cohort means: *

1.) Participation and engagement for 1-year commitment (Fall 2026-Spring 2027) that will require time outside of my regular work hours. 2.) Meeting with assigned mentee (virtually/physically) on a monthly basis for a minimum of one hour to create goals and discuss implementation. 3.) Attend 1 virtual onboarding session. (Scheduled in August) 4.) Attend an in-person orientation. (Scheduled in September) 5.) Attend 2 in-person Professional Development training on Saturdays (Schedule TBD) 6.) Co-facilitate/design a professional development session or community-building event under the Education Workforce Center for the field of ECE in the city of Chicago. 7.) Become a member of the Education Workforce Center (free of charge) 8.) I will be a CCC student (free of charge) and receive a stipend at the completion of the program.

Time outside regular work hours include: *

1.) Monthly meetings with assigned mentee (virtually or in-person). 2 Saturdays attending Professional Development trainings. 3.) Planning and executing a co-facilitated EWC Professional Development or event.

I agree with the terms and expectations listed above if selected to participate in the mentorship program. *

Full name *

This application will not be accepted after Friday, July 10th after 5pm.