Being a mentor
In my experience as a students and instructor I have found that people general want to learn and be present to recieve information If they relate to that person
Students need to see what the expectations are on day one. This way both faculty and student will have a clear view of the expectations and work toward them together.
Mentoring also reflects our attitude. Students can feel if you're just going through the motions. If you really want them to succeed you will gleam with positive energy and uplift the student as you mentor or tutor thier progress.
I agree 100%. I have found that even the students that do not attend every day, or lurk (so to speak) do participate in their own way. How the students receive the information is not really important - what is important is that the instructor is there to be a mentor and to make the information available.
This is very true. Setting structure on day 1 for students, maintaining this on a daily basis as well as being in the classroom every day, students respond positively and see you as a mentor.
Mentoring is not valued as highly as it should be. I have fond memories of those who unselfishly took the time to show and explain so I could learn.
Timothy,
This is a great idea. Several schools have faculty and staff as assigned mentors and it is very successful. But you have to be careful when you make assignments, because typically mentors are naturally drawn toward individuals who need them.
Jeremy and All:
One excellent way to encourage faculty and Staff to get to know students is to assign Staff Advisorships for clubs and student council.
Nathan,
You are correct. Most mentors are "intelligent hearts".
Norman,
You are exactly correct. Just taking the time and understanding where the student is coming from is a very good way to begin to communicate with them.
I have found that a true mentor has something, a force that can causes people to gravitate to them.
I find that students relate well to their peers. So, in order to relate to students, sometimes you must put yourself in their shoes and understand their troubles. Empathy goes a long way. Even if it is a diciplinary issue, empathy can smoothen the bumps.
David,
Do you believe that the student has to ask or connect to the mentor? Students are picking up a lot of information by just being in the background and listening.
Good Stuff,
I have also found that some students very much appreciate having a mentor, but are often afraid to ask or connect. Just as students would benefit from mentors, I believe our instructors would as well. If we had successful experienced instructors that could help train us I believe it would be beneficial to all.
Dave Back
Exton, PA
Steve,
This is a great point. Our students don't always have the best support system at home, so our attention and support allows them to reach higher levels of success.
Trevor,
The key here is to relate the information to every person. The more you know about your students the easier it is to do this.
Agreed. When a student feels you generally care about their success, they have a tendancy to perform better and work toward higher level of success. Many times a student simply wants some attention and reassurance.
