Training Update
Beth Cavey | Trainer in Residence for Mentor Empowerment, EfM
EfM has a long history of living on the leading edge of adult formation, and we continue to strive to innovate how we deliver this program. As EfM continues to look for ways to empower mentors around the world, we have some changes happening soon.
Pathwright is a learning platform that EfM is transitioning to for mentor training and curriculum. Beginning in April Pathwright will be an integral part of all training events. Pathwright allows mentors to gain an understanding of the soil that is the foundation of the EfM program and then allows trainers to provide learning experiences that encourage trainees to grow into the role of EfM Mentor in the unique way that utilizes their particular talents.
Mentors will still sign up for a group training experience using the Sewanee training calendar at: CALENDAR. Currently, EfM requires mentors be annually accredited through 18-contact hours of training. The training will now be delivered in two parts – 2 credit hours for individual study through Pathwright and 16 credit hours for in-person group work.
What can Mentors Expect?
Two weeks prior to the scheduled training event, you will be invited to a training cohort through Pathwright. Mentors receive 2 training hours for completing these lessons. The lessons are:
Getting Started
Experiencing EfM’s Core Practices
Reflecting Theologically
Mentoring EfM
Administrating EfM
Transition from Individual Study to Group Learning
You will have a window of 10-12 days to complete this portion of the training. While we anticipate it taking 2-3 hours to complete, there is a lot of information and we strongly recommend spreading out the online time and not waiting to finish at the deadline. During the individual study, trainers will interact with you personally, and the training cohort will be able to interact with each other.
Next, mentors will participate in 16-hours of in-person group training. This part of training looks like EfM’s traditional way of delivering training. The trainer is still responsible for determining accreditation at the end of the entire process.
An example of how this new way of training will look:
A mentor registers for a training event scheduled for April 26-28 from the Sewanee calendar.
By April 10, training cohort is established, and mentors are invited into the cohort.
Mentors complete individual study through Pathwright between April 12-23.
Mentors participate in group training April 26-28.
What are the advantages?
Our hope is that offering training in this way will allow mentors to have a better handle on the heart of the EfM program – our values, our foundation, and our administration. Pathwright allows us to begin with a common language and understanding of the program. Trainers will enhance that initial understanding in unique experiential ways. Group training will be less about trainer lectures and more about mentor experience. Pathwright also allows the program to be more flexible in changing the course as we learn and grow and gain experience.
How are EfM staff helping in this transition?
The EfM program staff know this transition will have its challenges. We are committed to helping the community through this process.
We have been developing this training module for almost a year. It has been through several iterations, and we have received feedback from many people in the community already. We will continue to evaluate feedback and grow this part of training into something that meets the needs of the program and of the mentors.
We are offering one-hour Pathwright training sessions bi-monthly through the end of the year. Please consider attending one of these sessions in advance of your training. We will be able to answer questions and walk you through what to expect when your training happens.
Pathwright Training Sessions for Mentors
Saturday, March 16 at 12:00 East Coast Time
Monday, March 25 at 9am East Coast Time
Thursday, April 11 at 5pm East Coast Time
Tuesday, April 30 at 5pm East Coast Time
Wednesday, May 8 at 9am East Coast Time
Sunday, May 19 at 7pm East Coast Time
Friday, June 7 at 12:00pm East Coast Time
Monday, June 17 at 12:00pm East Coast Time
Wednesday, July 3 at 9am East Coast Time
Tuesday, July 23 at 12:00 East Coast Time
Saturday, August 10 at 9:00am East Coast Time
Sunday, August 11 at 6pm East Coast Time
Friday, September 13 at 9am East Coast Time
Monday, September 23 at 12:00pm East Coast Time
Thursday, October 3 at 5pm East Coast Time
Tuesday, October 22 at 1pm East Coast Time
Contact Beth Cavey at eacavey@sewanee.edu to register for mentor sessions.
Make your voice heard
As we transition to new training methods, we will establish working groups that reach into the EfM community to address specific issues. One working group recently updated the Mentor Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge document, which is available in the Pathwright training module. Additional working groups will examine accreditation, communications, and training events. If you are interested in participating, please email Beth Cavey at eacavey@sewanee.edu.
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns or need clarification.
I’m looking forward to living through this process with the beautiful community of proponents of the EfM program.
If you would like more information about changes in training, please review the brief video introducing EfM's new approach to regional onsite and online training by mentor and trainer Jennifer Wickham and diocesan coordinator and online mentor Mary Novello.