SFIC Mentorship Program

The Value of Mentorship

Mentorship serves as a bridge between theory and practice. By working alongside an experienced professional, you transition from understanding concepts to applying them in a live environment. This phase is designed to refine your instructional technique, build your confidence as a leader, and ensure you can safely adapt exercises to meet the diverse needs of older adults. It is not about expanding your repertoire of exercises, but rather mastering the delivery, timing, and safety monitoring required for high-quality instruction.

Goals

  • Practical Application: Practice the specific exercises and concepts introduced during your workshops.
  • Leadership Presence: Build comfort in leading groups, managing class flow, and mastering session timing.
  • Individual Modification: Develop the ability to quickly and efficiently adjust exercises for participants with varying needs.
  • Participant Safety: Gain proficiency in using the RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) scale and monitoring participant well-being.

Requirements

  • 8 hours of direct mentorship with a certified SFIC instructor
  • 10 hours of individual practice
  • Submission of a signed Mentorship & Practice Log within 6 months of completion of the course workshops.

Mentors

You are responsible for making the initial effort to find a certified SFIC instructor in your area.

  • Mentors must be currently certified SFIC instructors in good standing.
  • Need help? If you cannot find a mentor, email ccaa.certification@uwo.ca.
  • While we do not share instructor contact lists directly, we are happy to reach out to local instructors on your behalf to facilitate a connection.
  • The must be completed by the SFIC mentor after an agreement is made to work with a new SFIC candidate (usually after the first meeting).The form is intended to formally notify the CCAA of a new mentorship arrangement, collect mentor and candidate contact information and to facilitate effective communication between these individuals and the CCAA. 
  • Both the mentor and candidate must review and consent to these prior to beginning any new mentorship arrangement.

Direct Mentorship (8 classes)

Suggested breakdown of the 8 required supervised sessions must include:

  • Observation: (max 1 class) observation of the mentor leading the class (candidate participates)
  • Shadowing/Co-Instruction (6 classes) candidates lead portions of the class at the mentor’s facility. While a minimum of 25% of class time is required to count the session, you should aim to progress the volume taught as your confidence grows.
    • Sessions 1–2: Lead 25% of the class.
    • Sessions 3–4: Lead 50% of the class.
    • Sessions 5-6: Lead 75% of the class.
  • Full Execution of a class (1 class): Leading a full one-hour session while the mentor evaluates your readiness for certification.

Practice

  • To advance the development of your skills and success rate in the final evaluations, candidates are required to log a minimum of 10 hours of practice in addition to the mentorship hours. You can do this solo in front of a mirror or by rehearsing with friends and fellow candidates
  • Example of Practice Activities:
    • Practicing exercise demonstration and execution in front of a mirror.
    • Rehearsing class segments or full class with peers/friend/family
    • Using RPE and helping others to understand how it’s used

Mentorship Log

  • Candidates must track all mentorship and practice hours and activities using the official mentorship log sheet (see link below).
  • Once the minimum mentorship & practice hours are complete, your mentor(s) must sign off on the log sheet confirming that:
  • You've fulfilled the mentorship & practice requirements, and
  • You're ready to submit your practical evaluation.

Mentorship Agreement

A formal mentorship agreement establishes a clear professional foundation for both the candidate and the mentor. It ensures that both parties are aligned on expectations, learning objectives, and the time commitment required for success. By formalizing this partnership, we create a structured environment that prioritizes safety, accountability, and the professional growth of the future instructor. Candidates must track all mentorship and practice hours and activities using the official mentorship log sheet (see link below).

Formalizing the Partnership

  • Once a candidate and mentor have agreed to work together (typically following an initial meeting), the  must be completed.
  • The form is intended to formally notify the CCAA of a new mentorship arrangement, collect mentor and candidate contact information and to facilitate effective communication between these individuals and the CCAA.

Consent and Compliance

Before any mentorship activities or hours begin, both the mentor and the candidate must review and consent to the two (2) Mentorship Agreements. This ensures that everyone is fully aware of their responsibilities and the CCAA standards that must be upheld throughout the process.

Administration Check List

  1. Connect with a mentor and complete the SFIC Mentorship Information Form
  2. Completed the mentorship agreement Mentorship agreements(2)
  3. Download the mentorship log and record your mentorship and practice session
  4. Once you have reached the 18 total hours have your mentor sign off
  5. Submit your mentorship log for approval (link below)
  6. Wait for confirmation that your mentorship Log has been accepted (3-5 Business Days)
  7. Upon receiving approval of your mentorship log, prepare and complete your demonstration video
  8. View the instruction in the next section Video & Submissions