Personal Narrative: A Career As A Mentor

At times I think it’s often quite normal for new teachers to become overwhelmed their first year teaching. Especially at a school where there may not be enough resources to adequately assist them, this leaves many new teachers to fend for themselves. In my experience, it was my mentors that made a difference in my career, and prompted me to pay it forward and it is these mentors that I try to emulate in my own mentoring.
A mentor serves as a professional role model for the mentee. By modeling professional behavior and self-discipline, the mentor can help a new teacher transition into a professional role. There are many roles teachers take on, and a mentor can show the mentee the variety of duties required by an educator and how much time is spent on each aspect. I will also always try to exhibit my …show more content…
As I work with my mentee, I need to continuously encouraging their independence as this is a necessary skill set for their professional development. I try to help my mentees navigate professional culture by encouraging attendance at meetings, helping them network, and by building confidence. I will strive to be an approachable confidant for the mentee. It is important for a mentor to realize that this process should be about the mentee, and helping him or her identify professional goals, whatever they may be.
Being a mentor is not always easy. At times, it will require much effort on my part, but the benefits of a successful mentorship far exceeds these small inconveniences. Mentees bring fresh ideas and perspective to the table. Being a mentor is part of a noble process that prepares mentees for their future endeavors. Mentoring is a process that is ultimately rewarding and fulfilling for both parties. And last, self-reflection will allow me to gauge how well my techniques are working. Adapting my mentoring style will help to improve my own skills, and the mentoring process will