Quote:
Originally Posted by stinglikeabee
It hasn't been said in almost a full page?! HAVE FUN.
Honestly, if you're having fun with the students (while working on the goals of the team) you are having a profound effect, even if you don't know it. It will encourage them to return, to try new things, and will help open them up to a new world of possibilities.
The other advice in this thread is very good. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may not "get it right" this year, but that is ok. Take time to reflect at the end of the season and make improvements for next year.
You may also want to try to recruit more mentors to the team. Contact the local paper, PTA, school leaders, the chamber of commerce, anyone. Tell them about FIRST and how they can spread the word to others about mentoring. Mentors are crucial to a successful program.
|
Amen dude. If you aren't having fun doing this you might want to reevaluate whether you should be doing it. I don't mean EVERY minute of every day is fun. But if you can't look back at a season and say, "yeah, that was pretty rad" you're doing mentoring wrong. And, heck, if you aren't learning from the students I'd say your missing on of the most important parts of this program. The mentors don't know the answer, part of what I find most enjoyable is the process of shared discovery with students. Students, for some reason, fear wrong answers, they fear failing at something. Help teach them it's ok to get the wrong answer as long as you learn from it.
On the topic of not getting it, it's not that you MAY not get it. You WON'T get it at first. You WILL screw up. Why? Because I'd be willing to bet you every great mentor has moments they feel they've screwed up. Times when they weren't the best they should be or could be. Reflect on it, learn from it. And most importantly, acknowledge it.