1. Cynthia sent an email to Rafa to introduce herself. What is the value of sending an introductory letter or email in advance of meeting? Is there a downside?
2.
What did you like about Cynthia’s email” Is there anything you didn’t’ like in
Cynthia’s letter?
3.
What information would you include in your own
letter?
4.
Did Cynthia share more, less, or about the same
amount of personal information that you might share with your mentee?
5.
Cynthia included six questions at the end of her
email to Rafa. What is the advantage of
including specific questions?
6.
What questions might you want to ask your
mentee?
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ReplyDelete3. What information would you include in your own letter?
ReplyDeleteI would include things such as information about my family, my education, what inspired me to be in education and what goals I have personally and in my career.
6. What questions might you want to ask your mentee?
I would ask my mentee what they like to do in their free time, what are short term and long term goals they have for themselves, family or career, what inspired them into education and especially special education, and if they was to pick a couple of things what do they feel they need me to do as their mentor to better help them in their journey of education.
I like that you are inquiring about what you can do for them. Mentee expectations of mentors are so important:)
Delete5. Cynthia included six questions at the end of her email to Rafa. What is the advantage of including specific questions?
ReplyDeleteBy asking specific questions, you are able to start guiding your mentee. You can be specific in finding out who they are and where their strengths and struggles might be. You are giving them specific things to start thinking about without overwhelming them. It allows you to welcome them and show them you are there to help them and that you want to help them along in the process.
4. Did Cynthia share more, less, or about the same amount of personal information that you might share with your mentee?
I would probably include more personal information; maybe more about my family. I want my mentee to know that I do have a life outside of work that I enjoy and am proud of.
Giving specifics tasks and not overwhelming mentees is a great first way to start! By sharing your personal life with them not only lets them know that you have a life that you are proud of, but also lets the mentee know that you have other things going on in your life:)
Delete5. Cynthia included six questions at the end of her email to Rafa. What is the advantage of including specific questions?
ReplyDeleteI like that Cynthia included specific questions she asked her mentee. When I first read it I thought it might seem like more work to a mentee to have to answer specific questions, but the more I thought about it I realized that it made the mentee really think about why they are doing what they are doing and why they are where they are at in their career. Sometimes it takes being specific to get the information that is needed.
3. What information would you include in your own letter?
I liked the professional aspect of the letter, but I appreciated the personal aspect of it. I think it is great to be able to have a professional relationship with the mentee, but also make them comfortable enough to share personal information. I think it is all important.
I believe that this is the purpose of the mentoring program is to help the mentee to be contemplative about what they are doing. It is also a great skill for the mentor as well as students, to think about their thinking, not only the how but the why. Great comments!
Delete3. I felt that Cynthia’s letter was nicely written. I think telling a person about your personal and work experiences is good so it lets them know who you are and that you are human. However, I think you have to be careful about how much information you do share and that you don’t turn the person off with rambling and such.
ReplyDelete5. I do like the fact that she included specific questions that she wanted to know about Rafa. In doing this it allowed her to get to know her even more and how to tailor her job as a mentor with her. You don’t want to treat a person like a kid if they have the experience and know something about things.
Thank you Amy:) I know from personal experience the respect I felt when you were my mentor. It is always nice to get to know the person and an individual.
DeleteWhat information would you share in your own letter?
ReplyDeleteI would share a little about the personal side of my life, interests and family but I would focus mainly on the professional side such as why I chose the profession as well as ask my mentee what their professional goals are. A good balance of both.
Did Cynthia share more, less, or about the same amount of personal information that you might share with your mentee?
I liked that Cynthia shared information about her personal life but I would have probably shared different information such as more about my family and personal interests.
I like that you would bring up why you chose to be a teacher. This could be a nice way to connect if you share the same reasons. Thanks for being a mentor!
Delete1. What is the value of sending an introductory email in advance of meeting? Is there a downside?
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea to send an introductory email. It gives the mentee a chance to briefly hear from his mentor as well as think about some of his answers to her questions and think of other questions he may have. Answering the email is kind of like a pre-meeting, and at the first meeting, they can possibly move on a bit more quickly. I really couldn't think of a downside to sending an email prior to their meeting each other.
2. What did you like about Cynthia's email? I liked the way Cynthia sounded positive and energetic. She explained how she arrived at where she is today as well as her ups and downs with her career. I liked her statement of a two-way relationship as well as her questions for Rafa to think about and answer. She also gave Rafa a few days to answer before their meeting and stated, "If you can respond in the next couple of days........" not sounding too authoritative.
It is important to realize that the mentor/mentee relationship is a two-way street. Gaining the mentee's respect is more effective than being authoritative. You are not their authority figure, but the mentee's "experienced" peer:)
ReplyDelete2. I liked that Cynthia started the getting to know each other with the email so that Rafa could get to know her a little better. I can see how asking specific questions can help someone with their reply.
ReplyDelete3. I would tell more about my family and personal interests.
You got in! I too liked the welcome email. This has really helped me when getting to know new teachers.
Delete1. I thought Cynthia sent a wonderful informative letter to her mentee. I could tell by Rafa response that Cynthia is a leader in the company and very well respected, but she shared information about herself that made it so Rafa could relate to where she had come from. I loved how she talked about how she still has had mentors through out her career and still has people she turns to as a mentor. She did not come off as being perfect and knowing everything but she is continuing to learn from others all the time. I also liked how she said that mentoring is a priority no matter how busy she is, that already lays the foundation that she is willing to help and should make the mentee feel that it is "ok" to seek her out for advise at anytime.
ReplyDelete5. The nice thing about Cynthia asking specific questions is it gave the mentee a focus to her response. It would make writing a response easier having direction to what the mentor wants to know. I would much rather have some questions to answer than feel like I was rambling on about myself. It also makes the mentee reflect on specific aspects of herself.
2. I liked that her email shared both professional and personal information. By being personal you are telling them I'm real and that it's possible to have a life and a career at once. I also liked that she shared challenges she had faced. Challenges are inevitable so addressing them is key.
ReplyDelete3. I would include my professional journey, information about my family, some items about myself, life goals, and what inspires me.
3. What information would you include in your own letter?
ReplyDeleteI think Cynthia included just a little too much information. I think sending a letter prior to meeting is a great idea. I messaged my mentee on Facebook prior to us starting the year together. Things I would include in a letter would be my educational background, my career background, and personal information about myself. I think it is important to build a relationship with everyone you work with. By building a relationship it fosters trust.
5. Cynthia included six questions at the end of her email to Rafa. What is the advantage of including specific questions?
Starting a new position can be scary and overwhelming. By including specific questions, Cynthia is able to help Rafa in responding to her letter. Specific questions can also help provide information as to the mentee's background and their areas of strength.