One way to be prepared is to start out with a plan and what better way to set a plan then to consult with your mentor? How many of us are mentors or have one? No matter the years of experience you have in education, it is always a good idea to be involved in a mentor-ship. The word mentor, as described by the on-line Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mentor), is a “trusted counselor or guide.” Now, who doesn’t need a guide? When we think of educational mentors, most of us think of new teacher mentors. In many schools, a new teacher mentor is someone on staff at the same school that will work with a brand new teacher for a semester or maybe a year. This is great for brand new teachers, but it would also be great for teachers who have been teaching for a while, and even administrators. Creating morale and building teamwork could only help schools/districts. How else are newer teachers able to learn tried and true best practices? How are teachers who have been teaching for 15+ years going to learn from newer (younger) teachers about how 21st Century students are learning through technology? Mentor-ships are great for both the mentor and the mentee. In this setting everyone is learning.
On a website called BNet (http://www.bnet.com/article/how-to-start-a-mentorship-program/212133), is an article called “How to Start a Mentor-ship Program.” While the website is meant for businesses, I think we can get a lot out of the information provided. For example they state: “People who mentor often are more productive, better socialized, and less stressed, Scandura says. They also tend to develop a loyal network of supporters, gather valuable perspective from younger employees, and gain insight into other parts of the business.” Does this sound like something that would be good in schools and districts? The website goes on to list the key elements of a mentor-ship:
- Decide what goals you have for the program – what results you are looking for.
- The essential aspects of a program like this.
- The pairing process of a mentor and mentee.
- Tips.
- Setting Rules.
- Receive updates on program so you can change and alter the program to meet everyone’s needs.
As the school bell rings to begin school for most of us towards the end of the month, are we prepared? Now is the time to prepare our teachers/administrators for a successful year.
We hope your 2010-2011 school year is wonderful!
Please feel free to answer the following questions:
- Does your school/district currently have a mentoring program?
- If your school or district has a mentoring program, is it just for new teachers?
- Are your mentoring programs being monitored?
