Jaime,
How do you "push" your students in the way your mentors pushed you?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My chef in culinary school was my mentor. He gave me as well as my fellow classmate’s individual attention which impacted my decision to become a chef instructor as well. His dedication to individuals and passion to pass on his knowledge willingly was beyond generous which I hope to bestow onto my students as well.
My past empolyers really made huge impacts on me and my career. I had the opportunity to work with many great physicians over the years that loved to share their knowledge with me and teach me new things. I have since stopped working in the office setting to teach and have been able to bring all of my experiences into my curriculum and enhance my students learning. My mentors pushed me to be the best and learn new things and I bring that to my students as well.
Mitchel,
Thanks for this post. Now that you are the school director, how do you inspire your faculty to do the things you did for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My first true mentor was my Uncle Tony, he work for the Aerospace industry and he knew how much I wanted to work in that field. He would take me to events, send me picture of launches. Telling me how he over came challenges. I chose my first field of Mechanical design and had my sights on going to work at Lockheed. When I finished school, all the defense contracts and space budgets were cut. Job opportunities were next to none. He helped me realize that during my education in mechanical design, I work on CAD machines and I really became fascinated with computers and programming. After going back to school for a computer programming certificate, I actually ended up working for Lockheed Martin. When I started as a career educator, I did all the same things for my students as my uncle did for me. I had classes with over 90% retention and 90% placement. I soon was promoted to Program Director and then became a School Director.
John,
My father was my mentor. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My mentor was my father. He taught me on a daily basis and introduced me into the feild that would become my lifes work. He allowed me to make mistakes and showed me what I had done wrong so that I might be able to do it correctly the next time.
William,
My father was my greatest mentor as well.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My father was my greatest mentor. He taught me what it means to have integrity and treat everyone fair. His customers knew they could count on him before, during and after work hours. For someone who never finished 6th grade he had tremendous logic and the ability to do anything he set his mind to. The best compliment I ever got was a "you remind me of your dad", my mom always kept me on the straight and narrow, was smart and tenacious but dad was "da man".
Jill,
The relationship you describe is one in which the mentor positions herself as a "similar other." Students are able to see that their mentor has been where they are and knows the path to where they want to be.
Jeffrey Schillinger
With mentors serving in a variety of roles, such as a coach, and teacher, people benefit from mentoring relationships because they increase their knowledge of a particular subject (a career field, sport, or passion), they build their skills and self awareness, and are introduced to new ways of thinking about themselves and about life. Being mentored by someone who has “been there and done thatâ€, allows for people to avoid many pitfalls on their way to becoming who they envision themselves to be.
Ron,
Positioning yourself as a similar other who has been where the students are today is an effective connection strategies.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I've always looked up to my brother. His work ethic, his comitment to keeping his word, has set the standard for how I live my life, and instruct my class. I find that living the example makes it easier to expect the same from my students.
Quintin,
What are some of the specific things you mentors did for you that you do for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have had two mentors at work. One is still here. I continue to learn from that person on a dailey basis, and it has enhanced my teaching very much.
Michael,
It always makes me smile when someone mentions their father as a mentor as my father was mine.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My father was one of my mentors not having alot of money and 6 kids kept him working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs and he used to take the boys along with him to work so we all got to see how to do the job right.He was really hard and this I think instilled good work habits for all the children.He is 92 now and still goes to work at our family shop 3 days a week.
Laura,
Thank you for the post. What are some of the specific things your boss did to positively impact your life that you now do for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My prior boss was the best mentor,she made me realize my full potential, and positively impacted my life. She showed she cared and believed in me. If we make our students feel this way...we will have poitive results! :)
Carlos,
What were one or two specific things your mentor did that had a long-lasting influence on you?
Jeffrey Schillinger
