[rsegrest]

RodgerR and Kim hit it right on the head. Please try to find out what changed for this mentor.

Depending on what state you are in the educational system is going through some major upheavals right now. I am a tech-ed teacher and in my state our jobs are under fire every day. We are having to justify our existence and what we teach. It may be that behind the scenes your coach/mentor is facing the same issues. Pile on top of that any family issues you may not be aware of and things just continue to stack on top of each other until your mentor is overwhelmed and feels the need to have absolute control over just one area of his life.

I am the only coach for a 25 person team that has limited funding and only one mentor. Last spring (right at the beginning of build season) my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and I can tell you that there was a definate difference in how I felt and as much as I tried not to let everything bleed together I know that it did. The kids knew and were extremely supportive (as best as teenagers who are in the midst of robot season can be).

Definately reach out to other teams in your area for help. Especially if there are established teams with long-time coaches/mentors. Maybe they can help give guidance or talk to your coach.

Good luck and keep your heads held high. Even if things don't go well at competition you are learning extremely valuable lessons about interpersonal communication and how to solve on-the-job problems.