Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto
Jon,
I think I agree with you here.
My observation has been more along the lines of "a student can't get along with a mentor", not "a mentor can't get along with a student".
I agree, mentors need to be adults and get along (as well as guide, inspire, etc) students.
However, if a student refuses to get along with mentor(s) on the team, despite mentors being adults and trying to work things out with said student, it seems like said student leaving is natural and not-so-terrible conclusion.
What do you think?
-Mike
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With the number of people involved in this program, there will be a few students who just won't work with the mentors, no matter what the mentors do.
The first team I worked with had two such students. Not only did they drive away all the previous mentors, they ruined the experience for all the other team members who were pushed aside by their actions. Unfortunately, speaking with their parents would not have improved anything since they were indulgent up to the point where they broke holes in the walls of their house while driving the robot inside. That team no longer exists. The sponsoring teacher retired and those two students graduated. None of the other students were inspired enough by their experience to try to keep the team going.
I know Jon advocates doing everything to work with such students so they can have a positive experience but at what cost?