Mentoring



Mentoring

Definition: from the Greek work meaning “enduring”
-A desire that one’s work and influence continue to live on.

It is a sustained relationship between a youth and an adult. Through continued involvement the adult offers support, guidance and assistance as the younger person goes through a difficult period, faces new challenges or works to correct earlier problems. (Age may not always be the factor. Sometimes it is inexperienced and experienced.)

Data shows youth are in desperate need of positive role models. The radical increase in the number of single parent homes and the number of 2 parents working families have been cited as main reasons.

Two types of mentoring
1. Natural mentoring: occurs through friendship, teaching, coaching and counseling 2. Planned mentoring: occurs through structured programs in which mentors and participants are selected and matched through formal process such as Big Brothers

Appropriate matching is at the heart of all successful mentoring programs. Matching can be done by formal or informal means such as interviews, personal profiles and comparative interest inventories.

Examples of mentoring
1. Educational mentoring: help improve academic achievement 2. Career mentoring: help develop necessary skills to enter or continue career path 3. Personal development: supports during time of personal or social stress, provides guidance for decision-making 4. Skills (coaching) mentoring: develop sports skills

A mentor needs:
1. knowledge, expertise and experience in area mentoring is offered <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">2. to be willing to share knowledge, materials and skills in a non-competitive way <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">3. to observe, listen and ask questions to understand client’s situation <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">4. be supportive, positive and non-judgmental at all times <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">5. develop activities designed to suit client’s personal needs and learning styles <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">6. take a personal interest in client’s development and well-being <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">7. to ensure that the client does not develop any unhealthy dependencies on mentoring relationship and vice versa <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">8. To transfer skills to the client rather than doing job for them (“teach them to fish”) <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">9. To point the way, present evidence of what client can become successful

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Accountability when mentoring
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Set goals: both short term and long term goals for mentee <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Clarify expectations <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Define roles and responsibilities <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Monitor progress and measure results <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Gather feedback <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Integrate process improvements

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Why mentoring is important to the mentor
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Satisfaction from helping others <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Expanded perspectives <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Powerful personal insights <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Opportunity to share experience and wisdom <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Reaffirmation of approaches <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-A meaningful relationship

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Why it matters to the mentee
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Safety net <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Opportunity to test out ideas <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Candid feedback <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Less stress <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Accelerated learning <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Needed support <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Increased productivity

= Mentoring Application Profile =

Task:

You will write a letter to the elementary teachers at WRMS, introducing yourself, and highlighting your skills. The purpose of this letter is to appropriately match you with an elementary student whom you will mentor. This will be similar to a covering letter for a job. You must include the information listed below. You must also PROOF READ your letter for spelling and grammar!

Requirements of the Letter:

1. Salutation

“Dear Teachers,”

2. Introduction

“My name is …. I am ….years old. I live in … residence.”

3. Purpose

“As part of the grade 12 leadership class…”

4. The medium(s) you use and feel comfortable using

(e.g. un-contracted braille, Voice Over on a Mac, Large print size, Zoom text etc.)

5. Your interests

(Please focus mainly on activities that would be useful when mentoring)

6. What you could offer your mentee

(e.g. would you like to help a student learn to swim, learn JAWs, etc.)

7. Any other pertinent information.

8.Closing & Name