A Mentor Is...

[RoboMadi]

Originally Posted by KathieK

27. ... a little bit insane in order to survive the Build Season, but is sane enough to act normal when around students, school administration, sponsors and parents.

Basically a Father Figure. To me, my mentors are the Father figures. They guide me through each and everything (even if its not robot related), and try to make it as fun as possible.
(Yes Mr. Skene that means calling Bosch, a big metal bar, and Lexan, shinny-'glowy'-glassy material )

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Eugenia Gabrielov

35. A model of positive behavior.

to go with this one (I've lost track of the numbering)
Models appropriate response when challenged by a student, maintaining a cool demeanor to diffuse and resolve the situation.

and two other ideas...
Has the ability to make hard work and a huge time commitment seem like a lot of fun.
Recognizes that sometimes a student is just minutes away from solving a problem and patiently waits the extra time.

[JaneYoung]

^ the mentor/student handypack - patience, humor, zip ties.

[Ashley Christine]

Originally Posted by RoboMadi

Basically a Father Figure. To me, my mentors are the Father figures. They guide me through each and everything (even if its not robot related), and try to make it as fun as possible.
(Yes Mr. Skene that means calling Bosch, a big metal bar, and Lexan, shinny-'glowy'-glassy material )

Mother figure too! psh, there are many female mentors, and they are not fathers

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by KathieK

27. ... a little bit insane in order to survive the Build Season, but is sane enough to act normal when around students, school administration, sponsors and parents.

I like this one.

And I'm not sure what number we are up to now, but..
A Mentor is.. A person you can talk to anything about and trust them to not throw it back in your face in any way shape or form and who will help you as much as they can to deal with the problems and situations in life without forcing their solution or idea of the way things should be resolved or getting too involved as to force your life in a whole new direction.

It's about inspiring, or guiding and not forcing a person to do what they don't want to do in their lives.

The discussions I have taken part of through the years is just like.. w0w.
You must, as a Mentor, be prepared to hear anything, especially when talking to kids who are HS age and act responsibly about the subject at hand but be able to make someone laugh about a situation if they can afterwards.