My mentor is a Director of Education. She brought me into the teaching aspect of the post-secondary schools. I have enjoyed it ever since, and would not change my career. Instructor have a career. When it becomes a job it is time to retire.
My first mentor, was my first chef. He guided me, was inspiration, and firm but fair. My role as a career educator has been influenced by his mentoring and management style.
One of my mentors has had a major impact on how I teach. She was an amazing instructor but also had the ability to be personable to everyone and show she cared.
Thank you for sharing this, Edward.
What are some specific things you do to pass that same level of caring on to your students?
I have had many teachers, instructors, mentors and managers in which I have learned valuable life lessons from. I would not be the person I am today if it was not for them taking the time to show me that they care. I always do my best to pass on that level of caring to my students.
Thank you, Patrick.
What are some specific things you do to put yourself into being a potential mentor for your students?
I have had mentors who are not motivated and just looking to make it to retirement and then those mentors who are ready to work and try new ideas. I enjoy working with a challenging mentor as if I am not offered challenges then I will great my own goals.
Jennifer
The mentors I had were at the first 2 jobs I had while attending High School. One was kind of a foreman and the other a manager. Both were very helpful in getting me used to being in a shop type enviroment and working with others. Now 30 years later I often look back and think about things they said or did when I am put into certain situations.
Thanks, Julie. This post made me smile as my dad was easily the greatest and best influece on my life. In fact, no one was close.
What are some of the "excellent" behaviors yoy model for your students? How do you know if they are internalizing the importance of those behaviors?
My father has significantly influenced me. As an educator himself, he has modeled how to be a mentor to students and fellow staff. He utilizes compassion, and models excellent behavior.
Thank you for sharing this, Paul.
You were fortunate to have such a good mentor. Your students are fortunate that you want to be a mentor for them.
What are one or two specific things you do intentionally to position yourself as a mentor for your students?
When I started in the automotive repair industry I was young and inexperienced. I was full of self doubt, not sure I could be successful. Then, an older tech began to give me advice. He would let me borrow special tools that I sometimes did not have. He would say it did not matter how long the job took to finish as long as it was done properly. The mentoring this man provided was a gift. The thing is ,at the time, I had no idea that I was being mentored. I only knew that with this mans kindness and encouragement I finally became a good tech myself. I am thankful I now work as an instructor so I can mentor my students and give them the same encouragement that I got.
Frances,
The situation you describe is not all that uncommon. I am not sure people really understand the role that Librarians play in a good school. In addition to being a resource to help students find resources, you are also available to be the sympathetic ear and problem solver for students.
One thing you might try is getting involved with things like planning graduation, planning orientation or facilitating tutoring. Ask instructors how you can help them in their specific courses or how you can help with individual students. When students come to you with issues, see if you can link the students with appropriate school resources. Wlak the students to the Dean and ask the Dean if he or she has a minute to talk to this student.
You cannot do a whole lot about the biases others bring to the school, but your contributions outside of the libray may be helpful in reducing the bias. I am sure you are doing some of these things already.
Thank you Dr. Schillinger -
I have tried to do that over the years. This is not the first proprietary setting I have worked in since becoming a librarian. I have seen that relating to the students on their levels pay off many times, which is very fulfilling. I don't think all faculty, program Directors, and Administration understand the value of having someone as part of the middle-management team that can relate closely to our students' backgrounds since they don't come from such a situation themselves.
Also, despite knowing that I am as good as the next, many of them look down on this factor of my background and make me feel unimportant. I try to rise above that issue. Any good suggestions as to how to overcome this bias?
Thank you, Frances.
You need to share your story with as many students as possible. Over 75% of the students in career colleges come from households with parents who never attended college. You are a similar other that has been where they are and has gotten to where they want to be.
One of my mentors was a libraian. She encouraged me to continue with my education and was influential in my chosing to become a librarian. Through her, I learned how a whole world of knowledge can be opened up to a person that comes from a low income family, with no one having gone to college in my family previously.
She enstilled in me the desire to make this learning available to others and what better place than in a career college, where there are people that came from similar backgrounds as myself.
I feel that what I gained from knowing her, I am providing to others as a result. She encouraged me to have faith in myself, make goals, and pursue a "vision." This is what I feel that I am giving to our customers and that is it's own reward.
Thanks, Kevin. This is an excellent way to describe one of the things it takes to be a good mentor.
I had a mentor that once told me, the day I stop encouraging you to do better is the day I think you have no more potential. I try to instill that same thought process in my students by encouraging them to work beyond what they think they are capable of accomplishing.
Chef Schonnenschmit was simply so engaging, and inspiring as a teacher. He was also connected to his students through his accessability.
