Page 387 - Learning to Learn

LEARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF -GROWER 387
EXPERIENCE 13: CHOOSING AND USING MENTORS EFFECTIVELY READING
More on Mentoring
Profile of a Mentor
A mentor is open-minded and through active and respectful listening provides practical guidance
on key issues defined by the mentee. The mentor establishes a very strong rapport and professional
friendship by being able to relate and be empathetic. The mentor provides encouragement, motivates,
and challenges performance. A mentor is honest and confidential in giving reliable, realistic, and
appropriate advice through innovative thought and strong problem solving. A mentor also sets high
standards for performance and provides ongoing assessment that leads to growth academically and
personally. Both mentor and mentee have performance criteria. A mentor seeks to be a self-grower
and helps the mentee to become a self-grower also. A mentor focuses on professional development of
both the mentee and mentor through motivation to perform exceptionally. The mentor is a strong and
well respected professional who is a quality role model. Amentor provides a strong perspective and is
accessible professionally to share relevant experiences. The mentor is willing to take significant risks
to support the right type of advocacy.
A mentor is…
a trusted advisor, a provider of wise counsel and advice (Oxford Dictionary )
a teacher, coach, advisor (Pacific Crest Teaching Institute Handbook)
“a particular kind of relationship in which a person with identified abilities or competencies enables
another human being to develop his/her own abilities and talents; a close personal relationship, a
process of working together to achieve agreed upon goals; a mutual relationship, with mentors and
mentees deriving satisfaction from their alliance” (Williams, Philip, Mentoring At-Risk Students,
Mentor 2000, Long Beach, CA, 1992.)
“an adult who, along with parents, provides young people with support, counsel, friendship,
reinforcement and constructive example; mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who
want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there. A mentor is a guide, friend,
listener, coach, responsive adult. A mentor is not a savior, foster parent, therapist, cool peer.”
(National Mentoring Partnership, http://www.mentoring.org)
Key Concepts
1. A mentor believes in the potential and efficacy of the mentee.
2. A mentor counsels by prompting self-discovery.
3. A mentor advocates when advocacy is appropriate and requested by the mentee.
4. Amentor demonstrates a commitment to do what is needed within the boundaries of the relationship.
5. A mentor is respected in the community shared by both mentor and mentee
6. A mentor demonstrates awareness and acceptance of different viewpoints and value systems.
7. A mentor challenges a mentee to reach his or her desired outcomes.
8. Both the mentor and mentee must consistently show mutual respect and trust.
9. Both mentor and mentee are as conscious of the process as they are of the product.