Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

i am going to nominate my old mentor. But his national gaurd unit went active. Our new mentor is a witch, she is only there because it is in the job description at the school. She complains about not getting paid. Any refuses to let us get to work, while she BS's with the other teachers who have off that period. The seniors in the class are a month behind on the tests and demos for the freshman. Unfortunitly we are not alowed to find another mentor, so the during the build season, the seniors (myself and another guy) will be taking the bot home to his neighbors shop, since our current mentor locks the door the second the final bell rings.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

I hate to do this, but most of what you've just wrote isn't Gracious Professionalism. You might not like your new advisor, but that doesn't mean she isn't doing SOMETHING good. Frankly, if you should discuss anything about your team talk about why you're nominating your mentor and the amazing qualities he's brought to your team.

Try looking for the good, dig deep if you have to. But there's good in every FIRST person I've ever met. This goes for your new advisor too. Don't give up hope yet, sometimes it takes longer than expected to get settled and work out all the kinks.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

Ever since I first heard about UFH i thought that it was a great idea. Since then I have nominated several people. I feel like its just one of the many things I can do to give back to these people that have changed my life so much since I got involved in this program. I encourage everyone to nominate someone you think is special and has done something great, even if its just something great for your team, its the least you can do to simply say thanks to these great individuals.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

Dave,

That not only is what a great mentor is, it is also what FIRST is all about. Too many teams put the emphasis on winning on the field of competition. Our belief is to have the students win. When the one student has reached the point where they believe they can do it and be good at it, and we have had many students reach that point, all of the 'stuff' we go through as mentors is worth the challenge. And you students do challenge us everyday, all the time making us better.

Thanks for the essay on what a mentor should be.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

While writing a paper I found a good definition of what a mentor should be:

"Mentors provide two primary functions to protégés: (a) psychosocial support, in which they act as role models, provide acceptance, and confirm the protégé’s behavior, and (b) career development (vocational) support, in which they act as coaches to the protégé, protect the protégé from adverse organizational forces, provide challenging assignments, sponsor advancement, and foster positive exposure and visibility."

Yea, it's a dry definition compared to Dave's inspiring description, but it's a basic guideline for students who are thinking of people to nominate for UFH.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

I'm a bit late getting into this thread, but I wanted to add my voice to it.

I nominated 4 people for UFH Awards a little before this thread was started. I would suggest that everyone who thinks they know someone who would make a good UFH to nominate them, as well. I, personally, think it's great that the UFH Committee has honored people who contribute to FIRST and Robotics Education in many different ways, and to different extents. We have seen college students, teachers, engineers, parents, and other mentors honored. I'll be nominating a few more people in the near future, and I suggest that you all do the same :)

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

i should nominate my mentor. He's a genius and uber engineer.

Re: Survey - Who respects their mentors?
 

i respect my mentor a ton, and i did nominated him for UFH. in fact, he got it! :D