[Andy Baker]

A good mentor...

treads a thin line between "good friend" and "parent".
says things to a persons face instead of behind their back.
tries to treat every person equally, from the LD student to the AP student.
shows respect and attention to the kid that everyone else picks on.
challenges top-performing students to do better.
gives credit to people when they deserve it.
gives credit to people, sometimes, even when they don't deserve it.
says "I'm sorry, it was my fault" when they screw up.
will do any job, no matter how menial.
listens.

People talk about respect. You don't just "get respect" by "giving respect". Try, every day, to do these things above and you will get respect. You don't need to be cool to get respect, just work hard and be honest with your teammates and yourself. From that, things will fall in to place.

I always try to be a good mentor. Sometimes it is tough. Sometimes my patience is tried and I get frustrated and I get really "short" with people.

I do find that I am a better parent since I have good experience as a FIRST mentor. I see mistakes I make while on the team and as a parent, and the more experience I get with both, the better mentor and parent I become. I value this experience as mentor greatly.

Good luck.

Andy B.