Mentor Training

To be a mentor takes two things: 1) Skill(s) or knowledge you can share and 2) Time.

To EXCEL at being a mentor takes a little bit more, so we've provided this 'training' page.

The Mentoring Process MENTORS STUDENTS I do... I watch... I do... I help... I help... I do... I watch... I do...

A mentor is a role model who helps foster the learning of the team members through teaching, coaching, counseling and championing. This is achieved through the mentor process, where control of tasks is transferred from the mentor(s) to the student(s) as they achieve mastery of the skills needed. Mentors teach more than technical skills, they also teach communications, conflict-resolution, negotiation, respect, proper behavior, teamwork, etc. Mentors are expected to follow all school and district rules, and follow the team behavior contract. It is also recommended that all mentors for our team read the FIRST mentoring guide. Please see QUICK INFO section/downloads page to download forms and Mentor Info Pages.

MENTORING TIPS

• Know the task and your role in it. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the whole picture, then the details of your part in it.
• Get online or in-class training as needed from FIRST, NASA, Autodesk, etc. (see QUICK INFO sections for links) preferably BEFORE the build. Share training with team members.
• Watch for stress during the build, both yours and other team members. Give yourself a break or suggest a break to another if you think it's needed.
• Include everyone. Seek out those that hesitate to join in.
• Show respect for all ideas and persons. Be worthy of respect in return.
• Resist doing most of the talking, avoid one-way communication. Instead, ask leading questions that get students thinking and participating.
• Be careful how you criticize. Some students are more sensitive then others.
• Remember that the skills and knowledge of the students are at very different levels. Take the time to assess and adjust accordingly.
• Learn the traits of a good mentor, so that you can assess your strengths and challenges.

Excerpt from American Speech-language Hearing Association  (www.asha.org/students/gatheringplace/ExcMentor.htm)

Characteristics of Excellent Mentors

• Good listener/sounding board
• Knowledgeable
• Nonjudgmental
• Able to give constructive feedback
• Honest and candid
• Able to network and find resources
• Successful in career
• Willing/able to devote time to developing others
• Eager to learn
• Do a self-assessment and know what you are offering to your mentee and what you expect of yourself.

Excerpt from NIST Mentoring handbook  (www.nist.gov/admin/diversity/handbook02.htm#History%20of%20Mentoring)

Critical mentoring skills include:

• Being a good listener and knowing how to give effective feedback.
• Knowing how to help with goal setting and planning.
• Knowing when to give and when not to give advice.
• Having the ability to instill confidence and motivate people.
  

Characteristics of Good Mentors

• Values the organization, its mission and its work.
• Cares about others and treats everyone with respect.
• Is tolerant, non-judgmental, and accepts personal differences.
• Is confident and secure with self.
• Is able to establish a comfortable environment for discussions.
• Enjoys watching a protege develop.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to proteges' needs.
• Trusts others and can be trusted.
  

Characteristics of Successful Mentoring Relationships

• Both mentor and protege are open to change, willing to explore possibilities, and are willing to help and learn from each other.
• Both make a commitment to advancing the development of the protege.
• The relationship is a healthy one from which both individuals gain personal satisfaction.
• Both are capable of confronting and constructively resolving conflicts.
• Proteges recognize the mentors effect on their development.
• The relationship evolves and changes with time as the needs and goals of the mentor and protege change.