The Multifaceted Nature of Mentoring

In this chapter, the authors describe the process and learning from a formalized mentorship program for early learning professionals in Windsor, Ontario, of which they were the co-creators and facilitators. The highlighted experiences illustrate the rich and varied ways in which mentorship is manifested. The anecdotes of individual mentoring pairs invite readers to reflect on their understandings of mentorship and the different ways mentorship happens, while contrasting to traditional understandings. Learning from the experiences of this program, and of what mentorship is , it is then possible to consider the conditions necessary to encourage the kinds of mentorship that can lead to positive outcomes for mentors and mentees in early childhood education and care settings.