In the interpreting profession, learning is an ongoing process that occurs through discipline, training, and mentorship. As an interpreter mentor, I will strive my best to create a positive learning environment for all mentees. A learning environment can be created when a mentor allows a mentee to effectively express themselves in the manner that he/she chooses. As an interpreter mentor, I value accommodation. I will appropriately accommodate each mentees schedule and be flexible if problems arise regarding mentoring hours. As a mentor, I want each mentee to have the opportunity to share his/her expectations and develop a plan in which we can both work together. I want to understand how much work a mentee can accomplish in a day, how much time he/she has during the week to complete assignments, and how much time (overall) he/she is willing to give to the relationship. If scheduling becomes an issue, each mentee will have the freedom to tell me and we will make adjustments accordingly. The mentee and I can/will then begin to create a new plan of action in regards to his/her schedule.
As a mentor, I vow to allow a mentee the freedom to express his/her past failures and experiences free of judgement. I will regard each mentee’s personal experience, and will not override his/her experience with my personal goals/motives. As an interpreter mentor, I will implement open discussions as a vital process of the mentorship environment. Before the mentor/mentee relationship begins, I want to work with each mentee understanding his/her preferences regarding his/her goals for the mentor relationship. After each completed assignment, the mentee will have an opportunity to express his/her thoughts about the assignment. As a mentor, I will listen to each mentee’s opinion and feedback regarding the interpreted work. Most of the work I will give to a mentee consists of a him/her interpreting different videos in American Sign Language or voicing from American Sign Langauage to English. Mentor feedback will be given in accordance to Marty Taylor’s book Interpretation Skills English to American Sign Language. On occasion, I will want the mentee to view lectures given by sign language interpreters/Deaf adults and be able to discuss what the mentee learned from the lecture. I want to encourage all mentees to be interactive in the learning process. If a mentee does not understand the content or expectations of the mentoring assignment, each mentee will feel the liberty to discuss the matter with myself. As an interpreter mentor, I value each student and his/her strategies of learning. As a result of the mentoring process, I want all mentees to reach their full potential. If a mentee has the goal to obtain a certification, I want to provide the mentee with the specific skill practices to practice to receive a passing score. When a mentee has questions regarding specific skills, practice, and training, I will be readily available for the mentee’s needs. Each mentee will be provided information to contact me through email or other communication avenues/methods.
As an interpreter mentor, my goal is to instill confidence in each mentee that I have the pleasure of mentoring. I believe that confidence can be obtained through the consistent act of freedom that the mentee has to express themselves. The mentor/mentee relationship will not be successful if the mentee does not feel that the mentor is supportive. Each mentee brings new information to the relationship, and I also want to learn from the mentor/mentee partnership. I want to promote positivity, balance, and empowerment in each mentee. Throughout the mentor/mentee relationship, I will also continue to engage in professional development. This includes participating in workshops, lectures, and other professional development opportunities that discuss mentoring and other interpreting topics. As a mentor, I will continually encourage all mentees to engage in consistent professional development. One never stop’s learning, and I will encourage all of the mentees to adopt this philosophy.