MENTORING
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
MENTORING is a process that always involves communication and is relationship-based, but its precise definition is elusive, with more than 50 definitions currently in use. What I mean by using the term mentoring: a process for transmission of knowledge and psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to his work, career, or professional development. Simply put, a mentor is one who facilitates and provides a structure for the mentee’s learning.
Did you know that the word itself was inspired by the character of Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey. Though the actual Mentor in the story is a somewhat ineffective old man, the goddess Athena takes on his appearance in order to guide the young Telemachus in his time of difficulty.
“A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.”
Zig Ziglar
Let me tell you what MENTORING means to me.
1. EMPATHY
Sometimes teachers are so comfortable with the subject they teach that they forget what it is like to be lost or confused while learning the subject. Empathy is the ability to see the students from their personal frame of reference, and to communicate this understanding to them.
2. A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
Simply, it is the belief that things can be changed through action.
3. A DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS
The willingness to become involved with people first hand and in depth is the most generous and rewarding thing that two or more people could benefit from.
4. ENTHUSIASM
Passion for the subject and a wish to share it with others.
MENTORING and its benefits to the student:
- A different perspective through individualized learning experience.
- A greater connection between teacher and learner.
- Improved academic performance and personal growth.
- Improved attitude toward subject area.
- Improved questioning and thinking strategies.
- Opportunity for intensive practice.
- Improved study skills.
- Increased self-confidence.
For the MENTEE: opportunity to explore one’s own learning process and benefit from the teacher’s focus and expertise, either in a particular subject or in supporting the learning process.
For the MENTOR: it is always nice to feel that one is doing something valuable and supporting someone else in their achievement of their personal goals. Is there a more delightful and rewarding experience?