I never realized how formal and self directing becoming a mentor could be. The articles we read in class seemed very focused on the mentor. There were several steps and self reflection questions that were to be asked of yourself throughout the process. If you look at mentoring by the examples we used in class, then my Dad would not qualify. We did not sit down when I was born and establish a set of goals and objectives. We did not have a period of closure. Although I thought the articles were interesting, I am not sure I agree totally. I think some of the best mentors I have had are informal, and there may be no closure.
I am actually looking forward to our next assignment where we look into our own teaching style and theory. I am going to use two approaches because my experience comes from the classroom and hands on. I think I have a chance to learn a lot about myself, how I learn, and how I teach others.
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I had a similar reaction to the readings on being a mentor. It seemed that they were specifically dealing with formalized mentoring. For example, teacher and student mentoring or mentor programs in the workplace. In these situations someone or some organizational body has developed and implemented a program to provide students/new workers with a mentor. I have never thought these type of organized mentoring programs work well (possibly because it has always worked poorly when I have used any of these...). The mentoring I have received and benefited the most from was not formally organized and grew on its own. We never came up with goals or objectives for our relationship. It just happened. I wonder if this has been considered/studied by others or if most research has been done solely on organized forms of mentoring and that is why we both felt so uncomfortable with it.
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