I was a not a great high school student, I had to meet with the counselor, she told me about the profession I am currently in. It was five years later before I followed her advice, I went to the local college to inquire about that profession and she was the college counselor! She helped me through the process. She will always stand out in my mind as the person responsible for my success.
I had my first mentor my junior year in high school. I was struggling in Chemistry and my teacher stayed during his lunch period with me every single day to tutor me, encourage me and reassure me that I could do it. Even though I scraped by in his class with a C, the fact that he invested a piece of himself in me made a significant impact on me. When I was in college I discovered an instructor worth driving an hour each way for. This instructor became my first professional mentor. He was a leader in the truest sense by seeing our weaknesses and instead of pointing them out, he stood beneath them and lifted us up. He taught us by example, encouraged us to see the opportunities that life had to offer us. He was 100% of the time a positive motivator and 0% of the time a negative reinforcer. I dealt with serious life circumstances during my time with this instructor. Every time I stumbled he helped me up, taught me how to brush myself off, and carry on like a rock star, a true professional. It is because of him that I have become a strong professional myself. Because of these two men I have actively sought out mentors at every place I've worked and when I've not been provided with them, I am not happy. In fact, at my most recent position, having a mentor who would foster professional growth and advancement was a condition of me taking the position. I have created a mentoring program for my students. I believe strongly that you must have a person above you to give you a hand up if you are to go anywhere in life. A true educator wants to do this for his or her students. The pneumonic for MENTOR truly is the key to building relationships with students and without those relationships, it's hopeless to retain them. Every mentor I've ever had has done this for me and it's inspired me to Motivate, Encourage, Nuture, Teach & Train, Open Eyes to Possibilities (always the hardest in my opinion, for students to believe they are worthy enough for it to happen), and Reward Good Work With Praise in the way that I've seen proven by example for me.
Dallan,
What are some of the techniques you use to be your students' tour guide?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have had one true Mentor in my career/field. His teaching methods were unorthodox at best, but his "Intelligent Heart" was always in the right place. Without him, I would be lost as to what a real path is, or the ability to pursue my deepest dreams/desires, much less be able to define them. I always remember how important it is as an educator, that students have the ability to see you as a Mentor to their paths. I try to be the best Tour Guide possible, and help them understand and achieve their goals.
5th grade dummy, failed that grade because of English and math and struggle until first year of high school. His name, “Mr. Krikbrightâ€, flew P-51 Mustangs over Europe during WWII turned English teacher during the mid sixties. He spent a lot of time with me between classes trying to straighten out a lost kid ready to drop out of school. This was long before we knew anything about ADD and other issues involving learning. This gentleman figured out that I was reversing the last two letters or numbers in everything that I added up or spelled, still do it this very day but know that I do it thanks to an old English teacher. He once told me something that is etched within my mind, “Until you believe in yourself, no one will eitherâ€. One old man, with a kind heart and some time, saved a lost and lonely kid. me.
Colleen,
Parents are the most discussed mentors on this site. (My dad was my mentor.) What are some things you have taken from both that make you more effective?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My Mom had a tremendous impact on my life when it came to the choice of path to take in high school. I had an instructor at college that motivated me in my course of study and that help shaped me professionally. I also shared some of the things the instructor motivated me to do with my students.
My mentor is my high school English teacher. I was never a fan of English so I dreaded taking the class. My opinion quickly changed, however. My teacher was a retired pro-football player. This little man looked very intimidating so when he spoke everyone listened. He was very well respected on campus and after talking to him it is easy to see why. Knowledge just radiated from him. He shared personal stories (when appropriate) so that we got a glimpse into his successes. Surprisingly, my favorite story was truly a sad one. This teacher had lost his wife and young son when they were hit by a drunk driver. He spoke to us about his struggle and the journey that resulted from that tragedy. This story helped me see that my high school struggles were so minimal and that I can overcome them with no trouble. I have carried that story and lesson with me long beyond high school. I often think back to it when I feel defeated and use it as fuel to keep going. As a career educator I think about that teacher and his struggle when I encounter an angry or upset student. I remind myself that I don't know what this student is going through but I always offer to be there if they need someone to talk to.
Samantha ,
She sounds like an amazing teacher. It is interesting what happens when a great teacher finds a way to inspire students.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My Professor from graduate school greatly influences my teaching style and how I approach my classes. When I first had her as a professor, I was terrified because all I had heard was how difficult the course was. When I took the course it was difficult, but I ended up doing well and working on research with her.
She had a complex course to teach, and a lot of work rested on the student learning and doing work in advance before class, which was more of a discussion than a lecture. She wanted to make sure we understood the material and could explain and expand on it rather than just memorize what she was saying. Our exams had a lot of open forum questions and I really thrived in that course because I was able to look at the big picture. She gave me the greatest advice I could have in my profession, “You do not have to know everything, but you have to know where to find it.â€
I hope to encourage my students and instill habits now that will encourage them to keep on learning and expanding on their knowledge. I stress how important it is, especially in the medical field, that they know they are right before answering. It is better to look up the information and avoid errors. They also have to want to keep learning and keep up with advances and new information. I really found my passion for this in that course.
Esther,
Thank you for sharing. My father was my primary mentor as well.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My father was a person that impacted my life in a very positive way. He was the type of person that would use positivity to show me how to resolve issues because being negative does nothing but cause issues in the end.
The mentor who inspired me the most was the most unlikely of mentors. She was the department chair of the Biology department where I was a undergraduate. She was tough and had a very hard shell. She intimidated students and pushed students in ways that at times was not appreciated or like. However she cared. She became my mentor after I broke down in tears in her office. As a young student, I didn't understand why she was being so hard on me. She sat me down and explained that she wouldn't be hard if she didn't care. Her method of showing love and concern to students was through tough love. I am reminded each day when I interact with my students exactly how it feels to be vulnerable and unsure of myself and my abilites. I also remember how it felt to be the recipient of tough love. I don't agree on the method used to show concern, however it impacted me in more ways than one. My mentor is still a presence in my life and has been a source of guidance and motivation through all avenues I attempt.
James,
You were fortunate to have two such mentors. My father was my mentor. (He would have turned 92 tomorrow.)
Jeffrey Schillinger
I would say one the people whom was a major influence as a mentor was Alfred Reaves. As a teenager of 13 I work for him at his auto repair shop until I was 18 years old. He not only taught me how to work on cars, but how to be an honest and productive person in society. My father was the strongest of mentors, teaching me the love of family, the value of being a person of my word, and hard work never hurts. To this day I still reflect back to moments of their wisdom, and Say “what would daddy say about this or that, and, sure enough I have my answer.The effect of my mentors would be, always be honest, fair, and caring as an educator.
Anna,
Thank you for this post. It is fine to not be a disciplinarian, but standards need to be set. What are some of your standards?
Jeffrey Schillinger
After I graduated from high school, I took a noncredit art class in my community. The instructor was an artist who taught on the side.
He was very encouraging and nurturing. He was not a strict disciplinarian like most of the teachers I had throughout K through 12. His teaching style made such an impression on me that I deliberately followed his example when I started teaching.
Kristin,
What was it that made her special?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I had a mentor in my particular field of dentistry that trained and guided me. To this day, 7 years later she is still in my life. I'm now a teacher and I still go to her for advice.
Edward,
It is common for instructors to have the feeling of "giving back." What is one specific thing you do to "encourage" your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
