1. What questions would you prepare prior to your first mentee
meeting?
2. What is the value of articulating expectations early in the
relationship?
3. In what ways are your expectations the same as or different
than Cynthia’s?
4. What were the advantages or disadvantages of holding your
first meeting in your office?
5. Where
would you likely hold the first meeting?
Other meetings?
6. Cynthia shared her own vulnerability experiences with
Raffa. Did that undermine her
credibility with Raffa? How might it
have helped?
7. Cynthia described her role as a mentor. Do you agree?
What else would you add?
What did Cynthia do to build trust in the relationship?
2. What if the value of articulating expectations early in the relationship?
ReplyDeleteIt helps each person know what to expect from the other person so that each can get the most out of the meetings and time together. It also helps each party decide if this is actually what each one wants or if it is workable for each party.
5. Where would you likely hold the first meeting? Other meetings?
Because of the way HPEC designs mentoring, the first meeting is often at the New Teacher/Mentor meeting. Throughout the mentorship process, we hold our meetings in a variety of settings. Sometimes we go out to lunch to build the rapport. Sometimes I visit the office of the mentee or watch where the mentee is working to help with suggestions. Sometimes we share as we travel together to a meeting of some kind.
That is definitely a benefit of traveling to meetings together. Many find that it is a great time to network with not only your mentor but other HPEC teachers.
ReplyDelete5. I don't believe Cynthia's sharing of her own vulnerability and inexperience undermined her credibility. It probably helped their relationship more than anything. Since Cynthia admitted some of her mistakes, Rafa could identify with her better and could see some things they had in common. It is easier to communicate with someone who can admit mistakes as opposed to a "know it all".
ReplyDelete7. Cynthia built trust by mentally rehearsing some questions before their meeting. She smiled and laughed at appropriate times and steered the conversation to an interest they had in common. She paid close attention to Rafa and checked for understanding at times. Cynthia remained positive and patient as Rafa shared his goals.
I think that that is one of the most important aspects of mentoring, remaining positive and patient.
Delete2. What is the value of articulating expectations early in the relationship?
ReplyDeleteI feel when you have set up expectations early on in the relationship then the anxiety of meeting with you is lower and you build a stronger relationship. For example I told my mentee's when we met to set up dates and times to meet with them throughout the year, I told them I am flexible if at any time the dates or times don't work this is not going to set me off and we will figure out another time and date that works for both of us. I told them that I check my email frequently and will get text and I am fine to answer after school hours. I find this was important because some teachers set up expectations that they contact them during school hours and I wanted them to know that I am okay at anytime to be contacted.
4. What were the advantages or disadvantages of holding your first meeting in your office?
I feel the advantages of having a meeting in your room is that your room can tell a lot about you as a person (organization, accomplishments posted, family posted etc..).
I feel the disadvantages are that if you work in early childhood the seats available are sometimes little chairs and may not be comfortable to sit for a long time. Also, if you have the meeting during school hours and you have kids entering and exiting, especially when all they want is your attention, this can be very distracting to you and the mentee. While it may not bother me time is precious and it needs to be more distraction free so that it is a meaningful meeting and not a chaotic meeting.
You will find that as the year goes on, your mentee will contact you less frequently. It is good that you are available to her.
Delete2. Setting expectations is a good way to start the year. I think it helps to keep things on track and to make sure points get covered. That away there aren’t any surprises. I think this also lets the mentee know how important they are and the job they do.
ReplyDelete6. I think sharing experiences whether good, bad, or in-between is a great way to start a relationship. It lets the other person know we are human and make mistakes and also have positive moments too. It helps sometimes to break the ice and get conversations flowing. This is a person you will be spending a lot of time getting to know you need to air out the laundry and let them know the true you.
I agree. Sharing positive and negative experiences lets people know that sometimes the conflict they are experiencing isn't personal. Some teachers treat everyone a certain way.
Delete2. I have found that getting specific expectations established and discussed has been huge in mentoring for me. It is just like in the classroom, if you wait to establish expectations you can never go back and effectively do it. There are many things that I write down and go over with my new paras each time and it is just from practice and knowing exactly what I want and expect. I also think it is important to know what my mentee wants and expects from our relationship. When I was a mentee I liked to go to my mentor when I needed something or had questions. I do not want my mentee to feel like I do not trust her to establish her classroom the way she wants. I think this is all important to talk about before you get down to business.
ReplyDelete7. Cynthia did a good job at building trust in the relationship. She got to know Rafa first and understand some of his very basic and deep motivations. I think it is really a nice addition to the relationship to have a good understanding of each other and to know what really makes them tic and what they want out of their life.
I agree with the statement about finding out what your mentee's expectations are is an important start to the mentoring relationship.
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ReplyDelete6. I don't feel that Cynthia sharing when she has been vulnerable in the past was a bad thing or that if affects her credibility with him. It makes her more relatable and I feel that it helped her mentee to relax and feel more comfortable sharing with her.
ReplyDelete7. I feel that the office was a good place to meet as long as it is a comfortable setting for both parties. Sometimes it is necessary to meet there just due to the nature of what you may be working on. Other times I feel it is fine to meet in other settings.
Should be questions 6 and 5
Delete2. I think setting expectations is extremely important. It clears the air right away and helps the people involved to "be on the same page." I have also learned through the years to set expectations early, I agree to a previous comment that it is so hard to go back and do it later, it seems like that often results in hurt feelings. I like the way Cynthia is very clear in her expectations but also takes time to listen to her mentee and his expectations.
Delete4. I feel that the office is a fine place for the first meeting. The first meeting is a little more formal and Cynthia's office tells the mentee a lot about her, just like our classroom tell about ourselves. I feel like my classroom is a part of myself.I feel a second meeting can be more informal and take place in other locations, and would probably be beneficial to meet in other places in Cynthia's circumstances. Most of my meetings with my mentee have been in my room because we have needed materials that are in my room.
Being relatable and setting early expectations from both parties helps to make the relationship better between mentor and mentee.
Delete2. What is the value of articulating expectations early in the relationship?
ReplyDeleteI feel expectations should be set early in the relationship. Mentee's need to know what their role is and what my role is. As a mentor, my job is to guide and assist, but they need to know that I'm not going to do their job. For example, I will give examples on how to write goals and assist them with the first couple they have, but they need to learn how to write them because I will not be able to write all of theirs. Same with grades - I will show how to enter them the first time or two and help if they forget a time or two after that but they need to learn how to do that. I use the same strategy that I use with my kids - I do, We do, You do.
5. Where would you likely hold the first meeting? Other meetings?
I have found I like having the first meeting in my classroom. Often the new teacher's classroom is empty and the walls are bare and it's overwhelming to them. They don't have a clue where to begin if it's their first teaching assignment. By meeting in a room that is somewhat decorated it gives them an idea of where to start, even if they don't like it. It also gives them an idea as to who I am and how I run my classroom.
2.) Setting clear expectations allows each person to understand their role in the meeting and sets a common goal. By having expectations the meetings will be more fruitful and less stressful for both parties.
ReplyDelete4.) Due to the design of the HPEC Mentor program our first meeting was held at the HPEC office. Moving forward I feel it is good to have meetings in a variety of settings. For example, a lunch meeting allows for both personal and work related conversation in a more relaxed setting. While meeting in the office allows for a more private work related setting to discuss more pressing topics. Observing one another in the work setting allows for discussion on things that come up on a daily basis when working with a variety of individuals.
ReplyDelete1. What questions would you prepare prior to your first mentee meeting?
I would prepare questions to better get to know my mentee. I would definitely want to know their past experiences with special education and education in general. I would also want to know strengths the mentee felt they had. As a mentor, I think it is important to provide as much help as needed, but not to harp on things the mentee already has mastered. I would also want to know what their fears are. Starting any new job is scary. If I can help alleviate any of those fears from the beginning, it will help the mentee feel confident earlier instead of later.
7. Cynthia described her role as a mentor. Do you agree? What else would you add?
Describing roles and expectations somewhat go hand in hand. I think describing what your perspective is as a mentor and the role you will play in helping the new teacher become the best they can be is very important. The mentee needs to know what you are there for and how you can help them. I always want my mentees to know that I am available for them even after school not just for school stuff, but if they need help in anything. Teaching special education can be emotionally draining. Sometimes you just need to let things out and you don't always know where to do that. I think that is one role of a mentor for new special education teachers.