Mentors

What a Mentor Is and Does

A mentor is a dependable, consistent friend. A mentor is not a therapist, Santa Claus, disciplinarian, or tutor. A mentor is a well-rounded person; however, a mentor is not a jack-of-all trades. 

A good mentor is a good listener. Mentors do not pass judgment but try to present information and differing points of view so the student can make good decisions. Mentors are not there to lecture, but to empower the student to make good decisions.

A mentor helps a student set realistic goals and expectations and tries to make achieving them fun.

A mentor is always supportive of parents. A mentor does not take sides or make judgments concerning family conflicts or situations. The parent is responsible for the student’s discipline.

The initial phase of a mentor/student experience can be a guarded one. At first a student may be hesitant and even unresponsive. Usually the relationship will gradually turn positive as a mentor's sincerity and concern become evident. Everyone develops at a different pace and under different circumstances. Mentors should not compare the success of their relationship with another student/mentor match. Instead they should look for indicators that their student is moving forward.

Signs of Success

  • Your student has potential: s/he sets goals, develops new skills and is aware of time management.
  • Your student is confident and self-assured:  s/he is increasingly cooperative with parents, teachers, and peers and exhibits positive behaviors.
  • Your student values education and the learning process: s/he has good school attendance, improves or has good grades, and shows respect for his/her teachers.
  • Your student is a capable young person: s/he shows a willingness to help others, demonstrates the ability to see the future; and demonstrates the ability to plan for college.

You should see two or more of the signs of success in your student. The goal of the BSCSF program is to help guarantee success. Mentoring is part of that program. Some mentors have a bigger impact on the student’s achievements than other mentors, but what is important is the student’s success. If you are interested in being a BSCSF mentor please contact A’Jamal Byndon at 829-9297.

 

 

 

 

Source: How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using Elements of Effective Practice. 2005: 151-153. Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership. www.mentoring.org.