1. I was impressed by the focus the speaker gave to investing time in the mentee. For teachers, this can be intimidating, because time is our scarcest resource. Yet, I know that the most impactful professional relationship I have had was with the teacher I shared a room with - we spent hours of each day watching one another teach, and free periods planning or reflecting on our lessons. Because of this, I appreciate the speaker's suggestion to invite the mentee into my life. Regular shared planning and lesson reflection promises to be most beneficial to mentee and mentor alike.
2. In completing the self-assessment inventory, I realize how important listening is to being a good mentor. Mentors need to listen to the goals of the mentee and help develop a plan to meet them. Mentors need to listen to the mentee's self-reflections and concerns and help the mentee address them. Mentors need to listen for the mentee's successes, highlight them, and compliment the mentee, so that the mentee repeats them.
3. As a mentor, I find it most difficult to give corrective feedback. I believe that each teacher is most effective when their teaching reflects their personality. Because of this, I am sometimes reluctant to point out a method that I believe is better. However, I appreciate the speaker's phrasing "this is a good way of doing it, but here is a better way..." This phrasing will be useful to me.
2. In completing the self-assessment inventory, I realize how important listening is to being a good mentor. Mentors need to listen to the goals of the mentee and help develop a plan to meet them. Mentors need to listen to the mentee's self-reflections and concerns and help the mentee address them. Mentors need to listen for the mentee's successes, highlight them, and compliment the mentee, so that the mentee repeats them.
3. As a mentor, I find it most difficult to give corrective feedback. I believe that each teacher is most effective when their teaching reflects their personality. Because of this, I am sometimes reluctant to point out a method that I believe is better. However, I appreciate the speaker's phrasing "this is a good way of doing it, but here is a better way..." This phrasing will be useful to me.