Embedded Files
Empowering Students to Believe in Themselves as Much as I Believe in Them!
Mentoring
Mentoring
Sometimes I'm a cheerleader
Sometimes I'm a coach
Sometimes I'm a listener
I'm always one of their biggest fans!
My Mentoring Philosophy:
My Mentoring Philosophy:
I Have Learned To Be The Wind In My Students' Race
I Have Learned To Be The Wind In My Students' Race
Several years ago, my student from China, was trying to give me examples of unique concepts in her culture. She told me of a word that is hard to translate. She said the word literally means to “give gas.” She said if someone is running in a race, the people on the sidelines cheer to keep the runners going. The cheers encourage the tired runners and motivate them to finish the race. She said this word meant more than just “cheer” or “give gas,” Finally, she puffed her cheeks and blew out air and said the word means “to be the wind.” She said the cheers are like a strong wind at the back of the runners. They are carried on that wind to complete the race. The runners succeed, in part, because of the “the wind at their backs.”
The idea of wind describes my mentoring philosophy more than any other. I believe that each student has their own unique race to run and it is my role as a mentor to support them in their race. I seek to them keep on track, to help them to find and use resources, and to be the wind at their backs. There are many ways I seek to be the wind and to help them finish their race
LISTEN WELL.
I recognize that students have unique drives, passions, and goals. For me, effective mentorship means listening first.
MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE.
I see potential in every student from the high achievers to the one who hasn’t discovered their talents yet. I help students develop a growth mindset and set achievable goals.
BE STRATEGIC.
I guide students to set a goal and then I help them locate resources to achieve that goal. I hold them accountable and help them identify milestones.
FACILITATE CONNECTIONS.
I connect students with each other, with business and academic contacts, and with university resources.
PERSONALLY INVEST IN STUDENTS.
Time is the biggest investment of all. I attend students’ activities both on and off-campus. I invite students into my social circle to help them make connections.
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
I am involved in the community and I create opportunities for my students to use their skills to benefit others.
PUSH THEM TO SEE BEYOND WHAT THEY THINK THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.
I challenge, applaud, redirect, critique, correct. Most of all, I help them cast a large vision for themselves and push them hard.
CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO FAIL.
I tell students stories of my own journey and allow them to see process over perfection. I allow students to see what doesn’t work. Helping them redefine failure and push them to redirect ideas will give them skills that will last a lifetime.
CELEBRATE GROWTH.
I am my students' biggest cheerleader not only for academic victories but also for personal ones.
Student Success
Student Success
Graduates are 1.4 times more likely to be thriving in five key elements of well-being
if a professor cared about them as a person.
Gallup Alumni Survey.
Mentoring Will
Mentoring Will
I had the privilege of mentoring Will Lambley, a student who lost his sight in high school and was learning to navigate college. The University of Arkansas did a video short about him and included me since I had a big impact on his college success.
https://news.uark.edu/articles/78478/will-lambley-inspires-in-newest-short-takes-video
She was easily approachable, and I feel I had a great relationship with her as a mentor and teacher.
Dr. Meade saw me as a person before a student, and she was willing to have conversations with me that were not about just her class, but about struggles I was dealing with outside of school. She was persistent to make sure that I was taking care of myself emotionally and mentally because she knew this had an impact on my schooling.
She sees each of her students as people with individual needs instead of just a face in the classroom. I am grateful for this and she is a role model for me as a teacher to make sure I treat my students in this same manner. EH
Their Success is My Success
Their Success is My Success
In my Advanced Public Speaking class, we celebrate the end of the semester by going to a restaruant and doing a toast speech. I always hand one of my students my camera to take photos and then I share the photos with the students as a parting souvenir. In this photo, my student photographed me as I was watching one of my students give their speech. I had no idea they were taking this photo. You can see genuine pride and caring on my face.
I am so very proud of the growth that they display. That kind of growth comes from hard work and perseverance. Public speaking is not easy and I push them farther than they think is possible. I always want my students to feel like I am on their side, even when I push hard.
By the end of the semester, they finally see what they are capable of and they are proud of themselves and I am so very proud of them.
Deep Care and Love
Deep Care and Love
Dr. Meade is the kind of professor whose deep care and love for her students goes beyond the classroom. She had an inviting, accepting, and encouraging spirit that so many college students need. She was available to me many times after class and even after I finished my career at the U of A. She encouraged me to be confident as a person. She would never hesitate to go above and beyond. She would intentionally take time out of her day to help us with whatever the task or assignment might be.
I remember one time I went to her house, so she could help critique my speech for a "Red Talk" (similar to a "Ted Talk."). Dr. Meade challenged me to be creative and she expressed excitement in the things I am passionate about. Now that I am a young professional, I can say that Dr. Meade’s class is one that I took with me beyond the classroom.
I will be forever grateful for the courage, passion, and drive that I learned through having Dr. Meade as a professor and a friend.
BH
Mentoring Students and Helping them Make Connections
Mentoring Students and Helping them Make Connections
Will Lambley has been my student for three semesters. Outside of class, I mentor him to prepare him for speaking engagements. Most recently, I have helped him promote his speaking platform by connecting him with the University of Arkansas newspaper, the Traveler. In this story, I got to mentor and elevate two of my student. Cooper Gant, former student wrote the article and Will Lambley who was featured in it.
I love pushing students toward their dreams. I am so proud of the work that each of these men is doing to perfect their craft and pursue their passions. My students are extraordinary and I am glad that I get to be part of their story.
Professor Meade is always checking to see if there is anything she can do to help me. I have had Professor Meade for three classes, and she has been nothing but a huge help. Whether it is helping me find my group when we are doing group projects or simple tasks like making sure there is someone in the class that can read a paper for me, she is always helping. She ensures I can participate in whatever the class is doing.
Her actions have been very appreciated and have helped me in the classroom and in my life. More importantly though they have inspired me to make others feel the way Professor Meade makes me feel. I always feel welcomed and know I matter.
Will Lambley
Whenever possible, I attend events where I can cheer on my students. I've been to basketball, baseball, football, rugby, gymnastics (and much more) so I can see my students compete. In this photo, I am attending football practice.
I give sincere feedback and believe in finding the best traits in my students. It made me so happy to see that this student reposted his speech rubric.
Four years after he had my class, he still remembers it fondly. I know that my words matter so I pick them carefully.
In this photo, I was chosen game day professor. It gave me an opportunity to see my football players with their families. It gave me a great opportunity to brag on the academic accomplishments of my students.
This mom later sent me an email to let me know how meaningful it was to meet me and hear about how I was proud of her son's hard work.
I find ways to celebrate accomplishments. In Advanced Public Speaking, I have an awards ceremony at the end of class that includes awards for not only best speaker, but also most improved speaker. In addition, I have awards for most encouraging classmate and best listener.
It is important to recognize how the support of others help to achieve our goals. It also recognized that social support is important.
From Madison, Student Liason
From Madison, Student Liason
I celebrate my students' accomplishements and I take the time to nominate them for recognition and awards. I nominated Madison as the Student Leader of the month and she won. Surprisingly, she spoke about me in her interview.
This is an excerpt from the news article.
While she has had a lot of mentors, she would like to thank Lynn Meade, an instructor in the Department of Communication.
"I get to attend a couple of her classes a week to assist in class discussions and listen in on her lectures. They always inspire me to think about things in a different way," she said. "We regularly meet to talk about the content discussed in class, and I always find this to be very refreshing and invigorating. Every time I leave her office, I am left with the inspiration to do better and to be better. I look up to her as a professor and as a person!"
Dr. Meade is always looking for things to do within the Fayetteville community and she never fails to share the information with her students so they can be engaged too. Last semester, I went to Dr. Meade looking for advice for internships in the area. She went out of her way to connect me to another student who is the Social Media Marketing Agent for the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks.
Because of Dr. Meade, I was introduced to the right person who connected me to another person who has now landed me a full-time job.
WOOHOO!! TN
Playing Gaelic games in Dublin Ireland as part of Intercultural Communication Course.
I believe in learning with my students as much as teaching my students.
Attending International Student events to cheer on my students. I want students to feel like I support them as a whole person, not just as my student so when possible, I attend special events where they are present.
Taking students outside to see the eclipse because there is more to class than just curriculum.
Look at the awesome eclipse shadows on the ground!
Cheering on the volleyball team because I love to support my students. It means a lot for students when their teacher agrees to come to their events. I want them to know that what they do matters to me.
Dr. Meade is a caring mentor who goes above and beyond to make sure all members of her class feel included and valued as individuals. She is willing to go the extra mile for any student that asks for help. Her class, mentoring, and teaching have greatly affected me as a person in both my personal and professional life.
Both semesters, when I had questions, she happily spoke to me after class. There was usually a line waiting to speak with her after class because so many of my fellow classmates looked to her for mentoring. She always gave her full attention to the person with which she was engaged. I know several students in her class looked to her for guidance as a mentor. On more than one occasion, I heard students discussing job or job interview questions with her. I know she had a huge impact on many students I was in class with.
I valued her insight so greatly that on multiple occasions I discussed personal topics that I was uncertain about. Our conversations were mostly in relation to the class content that day, because every session forced me to think about myself and the world around me. MJ
Listening to my student, Madison sing at Miss America's Arkansas event. I spent many hours talking with her about career, professional image, and performance. I'm proud to say that she is now a professional singer touring the world.
Invited to see Razorback football team practice because athletes voted for me to attend.
How incredible to see my student athletes in their "natural habitat" and to learn about what they do.
Privileged to be the game day professor for the football team because students voted for me as a professor who cares about their success.
Throwing axes because my student did a persuasive speech on why we should try out a new ax house.
When students came to the next class, I had this picture projected to show them that persuasion works.
I have met with Dr. Meade outside of class time and even after finishing her class (this is the only professor I’ve done this with). She has listened and instructed me, given me ideas of what I can do with my talents and, advice on how I can further push myself and succeed. She even listened to the situation my girlfriend is in and offered contacts that would be useful not only for me, but for my girlfriend she has never met. She has given me events I can go to and has encouraged me to follow my passions. RB
Attending my student's choir concert for the Inspirational Singers because it encourages them when a teacher attends.
Allowing this student to bring in her little helper for her demonstration speech because it made the speech more interesting and the whole class benefited.
Attended the Indian festival of Holi because a student invited me. Every week, I write events on the board and encourage students to try something new. I encourage them that it is an important part of owning their education.
Watching the Holiday Choir concert because watching my students perform is a delight.
Highlighting Student Work
Highlighting Student Work
When we decided to create an online section of ePortfolios, I used that as an opportunity to highlight student work. I took students into our professional studio and gave them a chance to show off their portfolios and talk about the things that they learned.
Dr. Lynn Meade has been an incredible part of my experience here at the University of Arkansas. It was evident from the first day that Dr. Meade cares so much about her students and wants them all to have fruitful lives. I am more confident in myself not only as a professional but as a human being. I have learned important skills like how to make a resume, an about me, and an ePortfolio, but more importantly, I believe, I have learned that being true to myself and valuing my unique strengths and perspectives are crucial to my success and fulfillment.
Dr. Meade's unwavering support and encouragement have profoundly shaped my academic and personal growth, and for that, I will always be grateful. I feel confident in the journey I will have as I start my career from what I have learned. She is an exceptional educator who goes above and beyond for her students, and I am honored to have had the privilege of learning from her. Caroline Collins
Nominated Madison for the
Cupbearer Award
Nominated Madison for the
Cupbearer Award
Nominating students for special recognition takes a lot of time and effort, but it is time well spent. I have the best students and I think others deserve to see how they shine.
Hello Professor Meade,
This is C.G. Communication in a diverse world class. My computer still sends me weekly messages reminding me my "folder is due by 5pm tomorrow" every Thursday. I refuse to mark this notification as completed simply because it makes me smile each time I see it. I thoroughly enjoyed your class last semester, most of all, the guidance you provided. You were the first class I took in college- so a lot of my expectations were to be set by your course. Although I presented myself with a cheesy smile and was covered in Razorback gear, I was totally nervous. We all were, naturally. College is scary when you're hours away from any friends or family. I was recently reminded of a phrase you told us during the first week: "Live in the now, be where you're at."
My mother has echoed this phrase countless times over the past few months. She recently sent it to me over a text to remind me of what I am doing for myself- and I figured I'd share the importance of it. I believe that college has allowed me to find myself, and a lot of that is indebted to you. During your first week of actual lectures, you asked the class how you were aware that you had gained your attention mid-lecture. The entire class was silent. I looked at you and put two fingers on my chin and rotated my head to signify my answer as "the audience will tilt their head in interest." I did this very subtly, afraid that my answer would be wrong. You then turned to my side of the classroom and copied the exact motion that I had just done, followed by a roar of realization from the class. Oddly enough, that was the moment your quote clicked. I am at a prestigious school surrounded by professors, such as yourself, who actively want to see me succeed. I have nothing to be afraid of- as my not speaking out was the only "wrong answer" I could get. Even if I was nowhere near the right solution, there was nothing to be ashamed of as I was on pace with it. I needed to be where I am at, and take advantage of the resources in front of me.
When in mid-November Mullins library hosted an "Americans and the Holocaust" panel discussion, I thought of your quote and how it applied to me right then and there. I had been offered to play video games and get Whataburger with my friends, but that wouldn't be living in the now. Living in the NOW would be to go to a powerful, heart-touching experience that I may only have the opportunity to see once in my life. I attended the event and was moved by the testimonies of victims and researchers- something I will remember forever. I have countless other stories of friends I've made, places I've been, and lessons I've learned by living in the now. I am taking advantage of enrichment opportunities I would've never thought possible- all of which tie back to my 8:35am communication class. I don't believe "thank you" is enough, but I hoped it would land in your heart somewhere.
Supporting the Dreams
of My Students
Supporting the Dreams
of My Students
Will King had a dream of writing a book. He proudly brought his first book to my office to give me an autographed copy. He credits the lessons I taught him on storytelling to his ability to weave complex narratives. As a teacher, one of the greatest pleasures is seeing my students achieve their dreams.
Pushing Student to Try New Things
Pushing Student to Try New Things
Something very special happens when you take students abroad. They discover new places and new ideas and most importantly, they discover themselves. I designed curriculum that allowed them to independently discover parts of Ireland and I spend one on one time with each of my students.
Lifting Up
Students' Work
Lifting Up
Students' Work
I encourage students to pursue excellence both in the classroom and out of the classroom and I take the time to notice the good work that they are doing.
I nominated Grant and Savannah for Leader of the month and was happy to see them recognized for their awesome leadership.
References
References
Gallup (2018). Measuring college and university outcomes. Gallup. Measuring College and University Outcomes (gallup.com)
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