MENTORING TIPS - Worth Reading!

MENTOR TIPS

Not sure what to expect from your student? What will you talk about? What will you do? To ease your apprehension, the following list of tips will help you communicate with students, especially in one-on-one situations.

1. Relax and be yourself. Students are quick to pick up pretensions.
2. Be warm and friendly. Learn the child’s name and show interest in what he or she does or says. One of the most important things you can do for a child is listen. Maintain strong eye contact and listen for tone as well as words.
3. Encourage your student to think on his or her own. Allow plenty of time for the student to think through and organize answers.
4. Allow time for the student to talk without interruptions. Show that you are interested in what is said.
5. Make your communications clear, specific and positive. Ask questions when you do not understand or when you feel the student does not understand you.
6. Understand that each student is a unique individual and learns at a different rate. Self-esteem is very important in a child’s success or failure. Help build self-esteem by starting any activity at a level where the student can succeed.
7. Always explain why the information you are giving is important. Try to relate it to real-life events or experiences that the student can understand.
8. Encourage the child at every opportunity. Seek out something in his or her behavior or school work worthy of a positive comment, especially when there are difficulties.
9. Accept each child as he or she is. Use the child’s strengths and weaknesses to your advantage by incorporating them into learning experiences. Never judge the child.
10. Talk with the child about his or her problems. You do not need to solve these problems, but by simply listening, you provide the child with a warm, caring adult in whom the child can trust. Since you won’t have all the facts, be careful not to criticize the people with whom the child has a problem.
11. Personal information is just that – personal. If a student tells you personal information or if a teacher reveals such information to you about a student, regard it as a confidence. See the Volunteer Procedures for more details on this topic.
12. Children love to laugh and have fun, so maintain a sense of humor in dealing with them. Find ways to incorporate fun and excitement into your activities.
13. Be supportive and accepting, but do not condone inappropriate behavior. Be an example rather than an advisor. Be prepared to reinforce the rules of the teacher and school.
14. If you are not going to be visiting with your student that week, send the student a fax to let him or her know that you are still thinking about them.
15. Any contact you have with a student should always end on a positive note.
16. Have Fun!