Mentor Expectations

What does it mean to be a mentor?

Being a mentor means using one's experience and knowledge to guide a less experienced individual. Results of mentorship are noticed through the protégé's work and development.

Five Important Attitudes and Beliefs

Mentors must have:

1. A willingness to invest time and energy in the professional learning of their colleagues.
2. A strong conviction and belief that other mentors are likely to have a positive effect on the quality of community and education leadership
3. Confidence in their own abilities
4. High standards and expectations for their own abilities and for the work of their colleagues
5. A belief that mentoring is a mutually enhancing professional learning opportunity where both partners will achieve equal satisfaction from their relationship

General Responsibilities of Mentors

1. Advising: The mentor responds to a colleague's need to gain information needed to carry out a job effectively
2. Communicating: The mentor works consistently to ensure that open lines of communication are always available
3. Counseling: The mentor provides needed emotional support to a colleague
4. Guiding: The mentor works to acquaint a new colleague to the informal and formal norms of a particular system
5. Modeling: The mentor serves as a role model by consistently demonstrating professional and competent performance on the job
6. Protecting: When needed, the mentor serves as a buffer between a colleague and those in a system who might wish to detract from that person's performance
7. Skill developing: The mentor assists others in learning skills needed to carry out their jobs effectively