The best practice of formal structure is characterized by the establishment of a policy and procedures manual and the use of a variety of school and community settings for activities (DuBois et al., 2002). This manual should outline all aspects of hiring, training, and retaining staff in order to aid in clarification of expectations and establish protocols that lead to fidelity of implementation When recruiting a mentor, the organization should adhere to the best practice of developing clear expectations, even if there is no pay involved. These expectations include a job description and interview protocols that address the specific competencies required for the position (Keller, 2006). Although not essential to successful mentoring, prior …show more content…
In addition, a regular assessment to identify barriers that can limit staff success also is beneficial (Keller, 2006). Mentor Best Practices Positive outcomes occur when the mentor-mentee relationship lasts for 1 year or longer and when the mentor understands what approaches, practices, and attitudes work (Grossman & Rhodes, 2002; Rhodes, 2008). Best practices can serve to increase the rate of success in formal mentoring programs and can reduce negative impacts, such as early relationship termination. Regardless of the reason for termination, it can be perceived by the mentee as intentional rejection (Downey & Feldman, 1996; Downey, Lebolt, Rincorn, & Freitas, 1998; DuBois et al., 2002; Grossman & Rhodes, 2002) and can lead to negative self-perception and lowered academic performance. The literature identifies six best practices for individual mentors: (a) training, (b) commitment to the relationship, (c) respect for the mentee’s background, (d) respect for the individual, (e) mutual activities, and (f) use of support (see Figure 1). Each of these is discussed below. Although those in “helping professions” (e.g., teachers, counselors) who have received formal training have greater predictive success as mentors, training and support provided to lay persons can produce similar results (DuBois et al., 2002). Mentors should avail themselves of
Coaching and mentoring are not about learning to do something the right way, but are about helping to lead an individual to find their own way of doing it practically and efficiently. Coaching and mentoring sessions are guided with theoretical models, which help focus both the coach and the coachee in attaining desired outcomes for problem situations. However, even with the aid of theoretical models not everyone can coach another person. The first and far most important attribute of a coach is the ability to build relationships with the coachee
This study is limited to the freshman mentor program at one high school in a 30 high school district located in Maryland. Data was collected from a representative group of mentors. Interviews were limited to discussion of the role of the mentor in working with the freshmen mentees. Although many high schools have freshmen mentor programs, each school develops a unique program to fit the needs of the students feeding into their school. Data was collected from a small representative group of mentors and they were all
Clutterbuck & Megginson (1999, p.17) describe mentoring as being like ‘standing in front of a mirror with a trusted other, who can help you see things that you do not know how to see, or that have become too familiar for you to notice’. It is a helping relationship between an individual with potential and an individual with expertise. This multi-dimensional relationship is a partnership between those in similar roles, who can support each other. A number of roles of the mentor have been listed by Bolton (2010, p.193): role model, enabler, teacher, encourager, counsellor, befriender, facilitator, coach, confidante, supporter and ‘un-learner’. To be successful roles and responsibilities of those involved need to be clear and they need to be matched to each other and understand expectations of them.
This report will determine the value of coaching and mentoring; highlight some factors to consider when developing coaching and mentoring and show models and methods
It takes a lot of commitment to be a mentor, an appropriate meeting time needs to be discussed between mentor and mentee so that it doesn't conflict with family, school, and/or social life. Mentors are usually provided for: troubled teens, young children with busy parents that work, children or teens with special needs such as Autism or ADHD, or anyone under or over the age of 18 who needs to have one on one time with someone they trust and can talk to confidentially.
Establishing an effective mentoring relationship reminds me of the ancient African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child," meaning that the work of raising a child cannot be done alone; an entire community must participate in providing extensive social support that child rearing necessitates. It is very rare for children in any society to grow into functioning adults without some kind of interacting from the community at large.
As a program coordinator for Colonial Mentors, I demonstrated my ability to effectively plan, develop, and implement organizational structure to a program. Colonial Mentor is a mentoring program designed to aspire college students to succeed in their academic careers. With my role, I was responsible for the organizational direction of the program and communicating the progress to the program director, my supervisor. I began the planning process with researching and gathering the materials needed to compose an effective mentoring program. I developed the program curriculum, policies, code of conduct, procedures for recruitment, training, and matching of mentors and mentees. Once the innovations were approved by the program director, I introduced
Setting clear attainable guidelines as to when and where mentoring sessions will take place and the duration of the mentoring process.
Mentoring is relationship orientated – it provides a safe environment where the mentore shares any issues which can affect their mentors professional and personal success. Mentoring also focuses on work/life balance, self confidence and self perception.
Formal mentoring programs are ubiquitous on college campuses and yet there is a lack of high quality training for mentoring participants online. The Entering Mentoring training is a notable exception (more here). However, this training is in person. More here about lack of inclusive mentoring / cultural intelligence.
Traditional programs for academic mentors and mentees are based on a seasoned professional working with an in-experienced teacher, and there is a plethora of case studies and literature reviews on such mentoring relationships. The idea of mentoring harkens back to Classical Greek literature wherein Homer introduces his readers to the inept character of Mentor (Zellers, Howard, & Barcic, 2008), so it is with a sense of irony that the term mentor is used to describe the experienced member of such a team. Nevertheless, the idea of mentoring is somewhat timeless and therefore appears valuable to help new teachers acclimate to teaching because it has survived so many years with little transformation.
Introduction: The present research would seek to expand upon the current research base of mentor programs. Having an adult mentor is one of the greatest predictors of whether as student with finish high school, but more is information is needed. Indeed, mentoring programs are already associated with improved outcomes such as higher graduation rates, better grades, better jobs, and less drug abuse, but what makes for a successful program? Obviously, the goal behind these programs is to benefit children, but making sure your program is getting the most from its funding is imperative when budgets are as tight as they are in educational community.
Mentorship is very important in the workplace especially in the area of training and development. The mentor-protégé relationship is a much needed relationship that begins in the early career stage and this relationship involves the current or new employees and the supervisor or other colleagues that provide work-related guidance. The relationship itself is comprehensive and involves “educational, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual development” (Greenhaus,, Callanan, & Godshalk, 2010, p 211). One of the initial task of the early career the establishment of the career field which involves the gaining of the workplace competence, learn what is needed to excel in the organization, and to gain acceptance in the workplace to be recognized as the valued employee. There are many ways of achieving the above mentioned advantages in the workplace which one main method is through the use of the mentorship program.
Identify and evaluate the key factors which influence the effectiveness and strength of a mentoring relationship.
With the development of the more organic and less formal organisational structures the role of mentors has shifted with these changes. Unlike previously where mentors where seen as formal trainers who taught newcomers the processes and got them acquainted with the cultures and the systems within the organisation. Which required good interpersonal skills and a good knowledge of the activity or tasks the mentee would have to undertake, and be able to effectively relay or demonstrate the tasks or activities to the mentee. As opposed to more recently where a mentor would have to be more of an emotional counselor and demonstrate more skills than were traditionally required from