John,
What are some of your specific actions and philosophies that you hope your students will adopt?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My Mentors have impowered me to strive for the best, to learn from mistakes and how to celebrate my success. Metors alow you to emulate certain tasks and/or philosphies that you can later adapt as your own,
Very true Ted :) I think it is important to make sure that the students know that they can come to someone who is going to be excited for them when they get that awesome job in their field.
Thanks for sharing
My one mentor throughout her whole life told me that I could be the best as long as I worked hard at it. When I got my BSIT even though she had passed away I knew that she would have been extra proud of me. She always took the time to celebrate the little milestones with me.
My other mentor is still around and he asks me every day how was school. Just like I ask my child how her school day was. It encourages me and helps me thru the bad (rough) days.
Both of these mentors have impacted my career as an educator because they showed me that I can still be approachable and caring even though I am teaching.
I have students who seek me out when they get a A in a class that is hard. And we celebrate either with a happy dance :D or chocolate :D
Amy,
Students have to choose us to be their mentor. We do not get to pick them. What were the things your mentor did to help you to choose her?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Lindy,
What are some things that you have taken from your mentor that you intentionally do to position yourself as a potential mentor for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My mentor has assisted me in countless ways both personally and professionally. My career would not be where it is without her guidance and suggestions.
We, as educators, would do well to mentor students.
My mentor was my high school English teacher. I had a rough time in my senior year and she stayed with me throughout. She checked up on me one on one and also keep track of my progress with my other classes. She also went above and beyond by coming to my home and tutoring me when I could not attend. She made me want to be someone's mentor.
Nicholas,
Interesting post. Most individuals define mentors as someone with whom they had a presonal relationship who impacted their lives. Who was one of your mentors under this definition?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I often refer to many of the greats such as Bob Hope, Norman Schwarzkopf, and Norman Vincent Peale these men sought out to use compassion heart and change the world for the better by serving others before themselves. These men inspire me to live my life in that matter from the smallest of actions such as a simple smile to a career change that lead me to become a body worker. When faced with challenges in my life I often step back and ask myself how can I help this person or situation come to a solution that will diminish both our stress?
Christina,
What are one or two specific things you do to position yourself as a potential mentor for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I can think of one mentor that influenced many things in my life, a childhood friend Magen. She has always remained positive about life and her career opportunities. Throughout our life we have been through many struggles and she has always been my voice of reason. She has always been the strength in every decision I made. When I thought I couldn't do something she was there to make sure that not only did she tell me I could, but she made me believe I could. This has influenced me in many ways because it has changed my perspective on what I can accomplish and how to talk with others to always push them to strive to be their best. This was a life long lesson that I will be happy to share with everyone.
Peter,
One of themosy valuable things a career college faculty member brings tothe classroom is the career-specific experience in things not "covered by the book." Students can learn from your successes and failures.
Jeffrey Schillinger
In my career I have had the opportunity to experience a variety of mentors. Many have modeled highly desirable traits while others displayed characteristics that do not always yield sustainable or desired results. In both instances I was able to derive a wealth of knowledge. Beyond modeling appropriate "industry" behaviors (leading by example), I believe it is equally important to recognize and coach behaviors or actions that may not be considered desirable for students. While an individual students personality, motivation, experience and potential may vary, I believe that it is equally important to merge essential learning objectives with appropriate industry standards in order to meet the goal of delivering a valuable curriculum and providing students with sustainable career values and characteristics which they can carry with them.
In my career I have had the opportunity to experience a variety of mentors. Many have modeled highly desirable traits while others displayed characteristics that do not always yield sustainable or desired results. In both instances I was able to derive a wealth of knowledge. Beyond modeling appropriate "industry" behaviors (leading by example), I believe it is equally important to recognize and coach behaviors or actions that may not be considered desirable for students. While an individual students personality, motivation, experience and potential may vary, I believe that it is equally important to merge essential learning objectives with appropriate industry standards in order to meet the goal of delivering a valuable curriculum and providing students with sustainable career values and characteristics which they can carry with them.
Troy,
What are some specific things your mentor did to show he believed in you?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I've had many mentor but the one who help me move from my previous job into education inspired me through leadership and he believed that I could make that transition.
Richard,
Thank ouu for this thoughtful post.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Likely one of the more commonplace misunderstandings frequently made is to pigeonhole everyone into the same mold, so to speak. In other words, my mentors understood my needs and never submitted me to a generic coaching plan rationalizing it will be effectively comprehensive in all scenarios. What inspires one individual may be quite uninspiring to another. In addition, my mentors where never some nonentity in an isolated administrative area somewhere. These were individuals that were highly regarded, and invariably showed me how to be a leader who is respected and is perceived to have the individual’s best interests at heart.
Loren,
What were some of the specific things your Mother did to clearly indicate her values relative to education?
Jeffrey Schillinger
