In what ways can you relate to the information shared?
I can relate to this information because it is not always brand new teachers who are mentored. My past mentee had years of experience teaching but this district was new to her. I'm glad SH sees the value in still providing the supports mentoring can provide a teacher with or without experience. I am able to teach them about the culture and community of our district along with essential personnel to connect for various needs.
Where do your strengths lie?
I think my strengths lie in being a good listener. I genuinely want the mentee to succeed so I am interested and attentive to their thoughts when they share. I am good at offering advice and assistance without judgement. I am there to encourage and help them no just with teaching but with their job as a whole and have a happy work experience.
In what ways as a mentor will you need additional support?
After mentoring this past year I felt it would be beneficial for mentors to have a list of district essentials to discuss. I know that I was able to teach my mentee all the programs and services that I use so that she was also able to take advantage of but there may be more that do not pertain to me or that I am not familiar with. It would be nice to have a list to double check and make sure I wasn't missing something. I also needed more mentor/mentee/director mandatory meetings early on in the year. The summer is optional and once the school year starts is it hard to schedule time immediately with mentee. I wish we had started meeting sooner.
