Mentoring Matters

1. Mentoring Matters Ruthi Manning-Freeman Academy District 20 ruthi.freeman@asd20.org CAGT October 19, 2010

2. Mentorship for gifted learners places the learner with an expert or professional for the purpose of exploring and advancing a specific interest/proficiency that cannot be provided in the regular educational setting Karen B. Rogers, Ph.D. Re-Forming Gifted Education Page 144

3. 1:1 Learning • Research shows us that the greatest potential for growth in any single subject is in a 1:1 learning partnership • Expert and Learner = greatest academic growth (E+L = GG) • A form of grade level and subject advancement • Learning beyond brick and mortar

4. Don’t be afraid to fall in love with something and pursue it • Free yourself from the expectations of others • Find a great teacher or mentor who will help you know understand and take pride in your strength • Do what you love and can do well Manifesto for Children Paul Torrence

5. People learn best when they most profoundly want to know. Hence, the materials of instruction must be selected in light of students’ real interests. Quote from the Phenix P., 1964 Realms of Meaning NY, McGraw Hill

6. Mentorships are NOT for Everyone • Successful Mentorship Participants must be: • Independent • Motivated • Self directed • Goal oriented • (+) Risk taker • Possess above grade level knowledge • Comfortable with a challenge • Desirous of a fast paced learning experience

7. What is Gained with a Mentorship? • Academic Gains/Content Knowledge • (up to .5 years in 3 months time) • Social and Emotional (Confidence) • Self esteem • Professional contacts for the future

8. Risk Management Always consider the safety of the student when pairing them with a mentor – know what your district requires before you arrange a mentorship

9. Who do you consider when planning a mentorship? • Student • Parents • Potential Mentor • School Personnel • Teachers • Principal or designee • Office of Risk Management

10. Planning • Get permission in advance • Do background checks • Require parental involvement • Coordinate transportation • Maintain safe meeting places • Ensure the time is supervised • Evaluate the mentorships

11. Students: Topics • Consider the student and their: • Interests • Passions • Goals • Desires • Talents

12. Student considerations prior to the mentorship • What do you already know about this topic? • What is your specific interest in this area? • How did you initially learn about this topic? • How long have you been interested in this topic?

13. Prepared Questions • What do you want to learn from this mentorship? • How often can we get together • What will be the duration of each visit? • Where will we meet? • What is my expected attire for my visits?

14. Additional Questions • What materials will I need to bring in order to capture my learning experiences? • What outcomes are expected from the student? • What outcomes are expected from the mentor? • Other?

15. Recruiting Mentors • People you know • Parents from the school community • Content experts from the greater community • Community notables • Teachers or administrators with outside expertise

16. Parents provide the link between learner and expert: • Providing Balance • Encouragement • Cheerleader • Calendar/planner • Driver • Communication assistant • Supervisor of the 1:1 time • Modeling high expectations

17. Mentors w/in the School Family • Find out what the parents of your current students do • Try to match student learners with parents who have the same interest or knowledge

18. Local Mentorship Options • Make a list of possible careers in your community • What is the major industry? • What schools and colleges are in your area? • Do you have theatre, symphony, museums? • Is there a job placement office in your community?

19. Mentorships Topics • News Reporting • Study in Quantum Physics • Map Making/Topography • Electrical Engineering • A study in florescent Geodes • Story Telling

20. Mentorships Topics Cont. • Illustration • Cartooning • Oil Painting • Photography • Movie Making

21. Mentorships Topics Cont. • Veterinary Science • Guide Dog Training • Falconry • Sign Language • Leadership w/2 Air Force Academy cadets • Early Childhood Education

22. Mentorships Topics Cont. • Restaurant Management • Cooking • Woodworking • Mechanical Engineering • Web Design • Book Authoring

23. Timeline for Mentorships • December - January – select students • February – Match students work with mentors • March – May: 1:1 time with mentors • April – Send invitations and surveys to students, mentors, parents, teachers • May – host a celebration of all mentorships • Have students introduce their mentors • Presentations • Awards and Acknowledgements

24. Evaluate the Mentorship • Query the Parents • Query the Mentors • Query the Students • Evaluation feedback will help you plan next year’s mentorship experiences and eliminate any that were less than beneficial to student learning.

25. Celebrate Learning • Host a mentorship night • Allow students to present a brief talk about their mentorship experiences and the learning that grew from the 1:1 relationships • Allow parents to celebrate the successes of their students • Showcase the ways you differentiate for students to the greater school community

26. I've always remembered that Plato talked about observing children being placed in situations where they can be fooled. Those who can't be fooled are those who question and wonder "what if?" In gifted education, we should wonder "what if?“ What if my student participated in a mentorship……….. Mary Frasier: Gifted education scholar and Torrance Center founder.