While in school learning my trade, I had an instructor that told me after I had performed a lab to his satisfaction, that I just might be pretty good at this. I still remember this 25 years later.
My mentor in my career as an educator has been the director of my department. She has shown such confidence in me and has taken me under her wing. She has always given me good suggestions and directions in leading my class. She has put me in contact with other experienced and knowledgable instructors that have shared their materials with me. It has made me a more confident instructor and they have made me really enjoy this profession.
I had a Mentor, Teacher who had a way of understanding things from your point of view to help you better understand his teachings. He used to use information from something he knew you were passionate about, ie... hobbies, likes, other educational experiences, etc.. He would use those interests and use certain analogies to better help you understand his teachings through something you already have an understanding of, or are passionate about. I found myself grasping the teachings much better when I knew where he was coming from with his teachings, so I in turn have found myself using the same teaching skills when engaging my own students.
I may ask my students what their hobbies or interests are, and attempt to explain the teachings through that hobby or interest. I have found that this works very well to help a lot of students understand what I am teaching, by helping them understand it through something they already have an understanding of, it also seems to bring a smile to their face when they realize that you care that they are understanding you from their point of interest and that you may share in their intersets. Of course I have found myself having to know a bit more about alot of things to achieve this goal at times, but I guess this is one of those times where being a Jack of All Trades, Master of some can trully come in handy.
I have been most fortunate to have great mentors in the work force. My current supervisor and a prior boss both encouraged me to map a plan of success to move ahead at work. Together we mapped out the steps to get there and monitored progress along the way.
I really appreciated their support and it has helped me to realize just how important encouragement can be.
I try my best to keep this in mind and use the same skills to encourage my students toward a positive path.
David,
Parents are named often in this forum. I named my dad when I took this class.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Jeff,
Availability of faculty outside of the classroom is one of the factors that research has shown influences persistence. Thanks for being there.
Jeffrey Schillinger
One of my favorite mentor wasn't my former teachers although I had many great teachers in the past. Arnold Schwarzennegger is by far one of my favorite mentor although I have never met the guy. He came to America with gym bag and wonder how he is going to make it. Then, he lost his first competition to lesser guy and he literally cried his way to sleep. His set backs did not derail him and when we all look at him now, the movie star, former governor of California, and millions in the bank account, his set backs did not hold him back. His HABE allow him to achieve his goal. Although as a man, he is not perfect by any means, his goals, and his desire to achieve that goal with tremendous passion, he became one of my favorite mentors.
My mentor was a college administrator who showed care & concern. I was a first generation college student and having a mentor like him made a significant impact on my college experience. He gave me the confidence to believe in myself and assured me through my accomplishments that I can be and was a successful student. His continued support and wisdom was the dedication in which attributed to my growth and development into an adult and professional.
My mentor was my executive director at a previous job. He impacted my life by allowing me the autonomy to pursue projects in the way that I wanted them yet always being available to me when I hit a snag.
He also would not give me the answers, rather he would discuss the situation/problem and would essentially "pull" the answer out of me and then end it by saying.. "you had the answer all along"
As an educator, I have modeled that approach by telling the students that they all have all the answers, we just have to show them how to access them.
I would imagine that I am not alone in saying that my father was one of my mentors. He showed me what integrity, honesty and committment were.
Recently I was mentored by circumstances, that I'm sure others haven't mentioned, by a dear firend who mentored me in how to face and ultimately accept death
The first mentor which I remember was a grade school teacher who was very kind to all students and showed that she really cared. The other would be my first director of my department who gave me the chance to learn in my chosen field. Therefore, both of them together molded me into the health care instructor I am today!
When I went back to school to earn my MBA I had a professor who I had a great deal of respect for. She was smart and down-to-earth and actually acted as an intermin dean of business for about a year. She contracted me to write some marketing materials for the college of business. Her faith in me helped my self-esteem. I think I have more confidence as an instructor because of that boost of self-confidence.
I make myself available to the students. Most instructors will hide in the instructor lounge @ break and lunch, I don't. I sit in my room or outside so that the students can come talk to me at any time. If a student has a personal problem they are not going to raise their hand in class and blurt it out. But at lunch or break.... I've had students that were not even in my class come up to me and ask for help, just becouse I was not hiding in a break room.
When I was in the Navy, I got assign to teach at the Navy Damage Control School, which teaches student how to combat fires, flooding and other damage aboard ships. It was my first teaching assignment, and i was scared of teaching, having never done it before. Even after going to Navy Instructor Training School I was still not comfortable in the classroom. My leading Chief at the time and now best friend took me aside and ask me what was up with me and the classroom; I told him how I was still scared of failing in the classroom. Roy then told me a story about his first time in the classroom, and also reminded me of why I was chosen to be a teacher, because I was already great at what we did. He also told me to remember that I am the teacher because I know more than the students do, you may not be smarter but you will always know more them, so don’t be afraid of them.
Kim,
Great story. Thanks for sharing how one enthusiastic teacher can make a difference.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Thanks, Nikki.
It makes me smile when participants name a parent as theri primary mentor. My dad was mine.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Jeff,
What are spme specific things you do to put yourself in a position to be a mentor to your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I come from a very small borough in PA and our school did not have much to offer in the way of arts. I was very fortunate that during my last year in HS we got a young and exciting new art teacher. He must have recognized my passion and talent for art and took a personal interest in helping me create a portfolio that was sure to gain me admission to his alma mater Kutztown University. I applied and was accepted. That was the beginning of a long and successful career that I continue today as an instructor and program director in graphic design.
My mother has always been my mentor. By watching her actions and listening to her words, I have been guided and shaped by her inspiration. For example when she said always do the right thing, I heard her words and watched her actions of helping others in need. She told me that I could do anything that I wanted to in this life as long as I put in the time and effort to achieve those goals.
I have had a mentor at every job I've ever had. I think that most people do they just don't think of them in that way. They may considier them a friend or a co-worker but in some way that person is a mentor.
The mentor that ment the most to me I still work with. Sometimes he can come out of left feild with his comments and actions but I know that he is just challanging me to be better. This person does not just have an intrest in my at work actions, he cares about all aspects of my life. I belive that is why I care so much about the students that I teach.
