Best Practices for Best Practices for Developing and Developing and

Maintaining an Effective Maintaining an Effective Mentoring Program Mentoring Program

Presenters: Michael FaloyinPresenters: Michael Faloyinand Wayne Murrayand Wayne Murray

Who is a Mentor?Who is a Mentor?

MentorMentor Dictionary.com defines a mentor as Dictionary.com defines a mentor as

““a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. An a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. An influential senior sponsor or supporter.” influential senior sponsor or supporter.”

A mentor is someone who allows you to see the A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. hope inside yourself.

““A Mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, A Mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John C. and a push in the right direction.” John C. CrosbyCrosby

What is a NJ GEAR UP What is a NJ GEAR UP Mentor? Mentor?

TeacherTeacher Problem solverProblem solver MotivatorMotivator CoachCoach GuideGuide

A good mentor isA good mentor is:: Interested in helping others succeedInterested in helping others succeed CaringCaring Willing to spend timeWilling to spend time PatientPatient TrustworthyTrustworthy PracticalPractical An active listenerAn active listener InspirationalInspirational Sensitive to the feelings of othersSensitive to the feelings of others

What is a mentee/protégé?What is a mentee/protégé?

LearnerLearner Decision makerDecision maker InitiatorInitiator Risk takerRisk taker Goal setterGoal setter

Academic Vs Summer Academic Vs Summer programprogram Academic Year Program Academic Year Program

In-Service/After SchoolIn-Service/After School Saturday ServiceSaturday Service

Summer ProgramSummer Program NJIT CampusNJIT Campus

Provide flexibility in services rendered Provide flexibility in services rendered especially at the schools and cater to the especially at the schools and cater to the schools needs schools needs

Mentor recruitment processMentor recruitment process Advertisement Advertisement

Referral from staff and other GU programsReferral from staff and other GU programs NJ GEAR UP applicants through state websiteNJ GEAR UP applicants through state website Flyers on campusFlyers on campus Set up tables at NJIT & Rutgers during on Set up tables at NJIT & Rutgers during on

campus events and School based activitiescampus events and School based activities

Select staff with Select staff with PassionPassion Similar past experiences or willing to learn Similar past experiences or willing to learn

cultural differencecultural difference DedicationDedication Excellent communication skillsExcellent communication skills Relevant education (not a must!)Relevant education (not a must!) Keen awareness of needKeen awareness of need

Mentor recruitment process Mentor recruitment process contd..contd.. Training Staff/ Orientation Training Staff/ Orientation

NJ GEAR UP statewide mentor trainingNJ GEAR UP statewide mentor training On campus trainingOn campus training

Round table discussionRound table discussion Continually provide professional Continually provide professional

development sessionsdevelopment sessions Make use of counselorsMake use of counselors Program staffProgram staff Guest speakers Guest speakers Example, address mentor limitations Example, address mentor limitations

&Proper attire&Proper attire

Managing your mentor Managing your mentor componentcomponent Provide the necessary resourcesProvide the necessary resources

Provide effective toolsProvide effective tools HandoutsHandouts WorksheetsWorksheets ActivitiesActivities Media equipment (if applicable)Media equipment (if applicable) Use of other technology resourcesUse of other technology resources

Online training Online training Online tutoring Online tutoring Online classesOnline classes

Conducive activity space (adequate privacy)Conducive activity space (adequate privacy) Proper guidelines, an established plan of action Proper guidelines, an established plan of action

and chain of command for reporting issuesand chain of command for reporting issues Counselor referralsCounselor referrals Disciplinary referrals Disciplinary referrals

Managing your mentor Managing your mentor component contd…component contd…

Activity logs Activity logs Incident reportsIncident reports Access to student grades and Access to student grades and

standardized test scoresstandardized test scores Proper follow upProper follow up

Plan to address issues as they arisePlan to address issues as they arise Counseling issues/referral (Counseling issues/referral (Counselor Counselor

referral formreferral form)) Issues reported by staff or studentIssues reported by staff or student Issues between staff or students Issues between staff or students Disciplinary issuesDisciplinary issues

Managing your mentor Managing your mentor componentcomponent CreativityCreativity

Consistently reinvent your mentor componentConsistently reinvent your mentor component More activities, less presentationsMore activities, less presentations Allow mentors to contributeAllow mentors to contribute Do not reinvent the wheelDo not reinvent the wheel

Use internet as a resourceUse internet as a resource Use other programs a resourceUse other programs a resource Think outside the box (youtube videos, books, games etc.)Think outside the box (youtube videos, books, games etc.)

Allow flexibility (with reasonable parameters)Allow flexibility (with reasonable parameters)

FeedbackFeedback Consistent verbal feedback to and from staff Consistent verbal feedback to and from staff Internal and state Protégé evaluation of mentorInternal and state Protégé evaluation of mentor Staff evaluationsStaff evaluations Staff evaluation of programStaff evaluation of program Get input through surveysGet input through surveys

Managing your mentor Managing your mentor componentcomponent

Make a connection to other components of Make a connection to other components of the programthe program No component can exist as an islandNo component can exist as an island

Make use of social media Make use of social media

Make use of your network at schools and Make use of your network at schools and on campus on campus

Allocate a time for mentoring activities Allocate a time for mentoring activities This will make a well rounded studentThis will make a well rounded student

Things to consider….Things to consider….

Tailor material to your audienceTailor material to your audience Age Age GenderGender EnvironmentEnvironment

What challenges are they facing?What challenges are they facing? What engages them?What engages them? What do the schools suggest?What do the schools suggest? Include some mentors in the development Include some mentors in the development

of your mentor program as well as in of your mentor program as well as in maintaining itmaintaining it

Dressing Appropriately

Homelessness

Illiteracy

Sex and Disease

Keys Areas of FocusKeys Areas of Focus

Inappropriate Dating/Relationships

Bullying Family Issues & Pressure

Gangs

Any Questions?Any Questions?

Thank You!!!Thank You!!!