There have been many mentors, but one that stands out is a high school history teacher. School was not hard for me, but many things were going on in my personal life. This teacher showed me that no matter how tough life may get, a person needs to stay focused on what they are doing. This teacher made me finish an assignment, even though I had just buried my father and was feeling sorry for myself.
Thank you for this post, Tracy-Ann. What are some specific things you do to position yourself as a potential mentor for your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have many mentors in my life, but the one that held me at high expectations was my post-secondary instructor, she never gave up on me. She always, sees things in me that I could never see, yet think possible. Because of that I kept my head high and always aspire to be great and paying it forward. Everyone need a mentor, a role model, someone to believe in them when no else do. That alone can have an outstanding impact on that person’s life years to come.
The one mentor who truly impacted my life was my boss. He believed in me and encouraged me to go college. He was that person who would help me with my homework and always had something positive to say when I was discourage thinking I would not make it through to the end and graduate. Because of his positive attitude this has stuck with me. So when I see a student feeling discourage because of a poor grade, I tell them my story, so they too can see they are not alone in their struggle in bettering themselves.
Anthony,
Thank you for this post. A former teacher is a fairly common response in this forum, but not an elementary school teacher. You were fortunate to have had this teacher in your life.
Jeffrey Schillinger
my mentor was my 4th Special Ed teacher who was more like a father to me during a time when I was lacking one. Realizing only later in life, the "kind" of teacher he was made me respect the man more in my adult life. Its no easy task.
Evangeline,
What were these individual's postion in relation to you? Were they teachers, parents, siiblings, etc?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have been fortunate to have had a few good mentors.They encoraged me to push myself to achieve and believed that I could. They gave me their time when I needed. Instead of telling me what to do they asked opened ended questions that made me think of my choices and the consequences of those choices.
Paul,
This may be the first example of "after the fact" mentoring posted to this forum. Thanks!
Jeffrey Schillinger
Although I usually think of a "mentor" as someone that is older and gone before you, and wishes to help coach you along the way, I find that sometimes my best mentors are those students who come back after years in the field and tell me how the actions I took mentoring them changed their lives. This after-the-fact mentoring gives me strength to continue with what I am doing, or, allows me to change what I could have done better, for future students.
Marla,
Family members are so vital. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I learned a lot from my grandmother...God Bless her soul. She was there for me and gave me the attention that I needed. My mother was a single mother working multiple jobs to survive, and in her absence my grandmother taught me to do the right things in life, and how to succeed. I appreciate all the that she gave me until my mother got on her feet and took the reigns. Of course, my grandmother was still in my daily life, she just took a backseat so that my mother could fulfill her role in my development.
Grace,
How did this teacher demonstrate that belief in you?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I remember a dental hygiene instructor that believed in me more than I could imagine and gave me an incredible sense of positive self image in my profession. I felt like I could reach out in limitless ways
Tammy ,
How can you use what you learned from your mentor to help your students grow in the profession?
Jeffrey Schillinger
When I first started out in my profession, I was alittle nervous like most new employees. They placed me with a lady that was awesome at her job. She took me under her wing and pushed me to my limits. She made me see that I had to expand my limits above the ones that I had set for myself. She was a rock and I thank her for that because if she had not pushed me I would not be here today.
Jonathan,
What did this person do that positioned him/her to be your mentor?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My most significant mentor encouraged me to attend and complete grad school. If that hadn't happened I would not have been able to enjoy the gift of teaching.
Harvey,
What are one or two specific things that your mentor did to impact you so strongly?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My current mentor has played an active role in my life for over 15 years.
His mentorships has enable me to make positive, effective and efficient leadership decisions that impact my leadership skills.
