Mentoring #SpCP13

Mentoring

 

“Mentoring is transferring knowledge, understanding, wisdom, skills, insight, vision and expertise” – Fred Childs

 

Mentoring is when someone more experienced is willing to help someone less experienced.

I believe a teacher is a constant mentor to the students they teach. As teachers need to possess qualities such as respectful, committed, ethical, visionary, tolerant, a good listener, expert, consistent, available, a role model, clear, and patient. These qualities can also be seen as mentoring qualities.

 

Students who receive mentoring at school are subjected to many benefits:

·         Encouragement

·         Education

·         Supportiveness

·         Gained knowledge

 

The NSW Department of Education and Training states that, “student/mentor relationships are a powerful influence in a student’s life”.

Effective mentoring seeks to provide presence by establishing a trusting relationship between student and a mentor that:

·         Focuses on the need of the student

·         Models and fosters caring a supportive relationships to increase self-confidence and positive attitudes

·         Develops active community partnerships.

 

The NSW Department of Education and Training outlines the key elements of successful mentoring programs. These elements include; approval of principal, student agreement to be involved, informed consent of parents, realistic expectations of what the program can achieve, regular and formalised meetings with documentation of objectives and outcomes, record keeping, consistent monitoring, evaluation, and start with a small/manageable program.

 

Teachers as constant mentors in the school environment have several benefits for students and teachers.

 

“Mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires” – William Arthur Ward.