Mentor Checklist

MENTOR CHECKLIST

1. BEFORE YOU GO TO VISIT YOUR MENTEE, call the school to check if your mentee is at school that day if they have a history of absenteeism or tardiness. This will save you an unnecessary trip if he/she is absent or on a field trip.

2. BE SURE TO HONOR YOUR COMMITMENT. MAINTAIN CONSISTENT AND REGULAR ATTENDANCE. Kids are really disappointed when you do not visit with them on a fairly regular basis. They are proud of you and like to show you off.

3. ALWAYS CHECK IN at the front office and wear your visitor’s name tag.

4. COMPLETE THE VISITATION FORM this confirms that you are visiting and gives vital information about your mentee.

5. WORK WITHIN THE RULES OF THE SCHOOL as set out by the principal. Lend a sympathetic ear to students and teachers.

6. RELAY ANY CONCERNS OR PROBLEMS TO THE School Contact Person.

7. DO NOT MAKE PROMISES YOU MAY BE UNABLE TO KEEP. This especially applies to “secrets” that your mentee may share.... the school authorities or parents may NEED to know the circumstances.

8. REMEMBER THAT Y0U ARE NOT TAKING THE PLACE OF THE PARENT. Let them do the discipline and punishments.

9. IT IS NOT YOUR ROLE TO BE A SANTA CLAUS to the student. Sometimes the mentees expect gifts, outside activities, etc. You should give gifts where appropriate (check with school contact), birthday, Christmas, something special such as improved grades. YOUR TIME AND SPECIAL ATTENTION IS MUCH MORE VALUABLE TO THE STUDENT.

10. DON’T EXPECT A MIRACULOUS TURN-AROUND WITH YOUR STUDENT. Most of us want to see a fast change, but this seldom occurs. You will need to build a feeling of trust and respect and that will take time. Many times, you may feel that you are getting little response. Don’t despair! Some children have a difficult time showing their feelings directly to you, but will “brag” about you after you leave.

QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL MENTOR

1. RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR ABILITIES AND THEIR RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES IN LIFE.

Mentors should not approach the mentee with the attitude that their own ways are better or that mentees need to be rescued. Mentors who convey a sense of respect and equal dignity in the relationship win the trust of their mentees and the privilege of being advisors to them.

2. PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO BE INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER PERSON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME --- GENERALLY ONE YEAR AT A MINIMUM.

Mentors have a genuine desire to be part of other people’s lives, to help them with tough decisions and to see them become the best they can be. You have to be invested in the mentoring relationship over the long-haul to be there long enough to make a difference.

3. ABILITY TO LISTEN AND TO ACCEPT DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

Most people can find someone who will give advice or express opinions. It’s much harder to find someone who will suspend his or her own judgment and really listen. Mentors often help simply by listening, asking thoughtful questions and giving mentees an opportunity to explore their own thoughts with a minimum of interference. When people feel accepted, they are more likely to ask for and respond to good ideas.

4. ABILITY TO EMPATHIZE WITH ANOTHER PERSON’S STRUGGLES.

Effective mentors can interact with people without feeling pity for them. Even without having had the same life experiences, they can empathize with their mentee’s feelings and personal problems.

5. ABILITY TO SEE SOLUTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS BARRIERS.

Effective mentors balance a realistic respect for the real and serious problems faced by their mentees with optimism about finding equally realistic solutions. They are able to make sense of a seemingly jumble of issues and point out sensible alternatives.

6. FLEXIBILITY AND OPENNESS.

Effective mentors recognize that relationships take time to develop and that communication is a two-way street. They are willing to take time to get to know their mentees, to learn new things that are important to their mentees (music, styles, philosophies, etc.), and even to be changed by their relationships.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MENTOR?

Many people feel that being a mentor requires special skills, but mentors are simply people who have the qualities of good role models.

Mentors listen: They maintain eye contact and give mentees their full attention

Mentors guide: Mentors are there to help their mentees find life direction, never to push them

Mentors are practical: They give insights about keeping on task and setting goals and priorities

Mentors educate: Mentors educate about life and their own careers

Mentors provide insight: Mentors use their personal experience to help their mentees avoid mistakes and learn from good decisions

Mentors are accessible: Mentors are available as a resource and a sounding board

Mentors criticize constructively: When necessary, mentors point out areas that need improvement, always focusing on the mentee’s behavior, never his/her character

Mentors are supportive: No matter how painful the mentee’s experience, mentors continue to encourage them to learn and improve

Mentors care: Mentors care about their mentees’ progress in school and career planning, as well as their personal development

Mentors succeed: Mentors not only are successful themselves, but they also foster success in others

Mentors are admirable: Mentors are usually well-respected in their organizations and in the community