Posts

Explaining terror to children and adolescents

by Jean Rhodes, Ph.D. The attacks in Paris raise difficult questions for mentors. Should mentors, teachers, and other caring adults shelter young people from stories and explanations, and shift conversation elsewhere. Although this might be a good idea in some instances, there may be situations when it’s helpful to talk through difficult topics with mentees. Particularly […]

Study highlights the benefits of serving as a mentor

  Ghosh, R. & Reio, T.G. (2013). Career benefits associated with mentoring for mentors: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83, 106-116. Background: Participation in workplace mentoring relationships is associated with a wealth of benefits for mentees. To date, however, few studies have considered potential benefits that mentors might derive from these relationships. Across the few […]

School-based mentoring associated with improved parent and teacher relationships

summarized by Laura Yoviene Chan, C., Rhodes, J., Howard, W., Schwartz, S., Lowe, & S. Herrera, C. (2013). Pathways of influence in school-based mentoring: The mediating role of parent and teacher relationships. Journal of School Psychology, 51, 129-142. Background Although school-based mentoring (SBM) is the most common approach to formal mentoring in the United States, […]

How should mentors handle gift giving?

Editors Note: In this  feature Gail Manza and Susan Patrick draw from their new book Mentor’s Field Guide, which is framed as a series of 67 answers to the most common questions that arise in youth mentoring. This timely post might be helpful to volunteers as they navigate their way through the holidays. QUESTION 33. How should […]

FORUM: How do you encourage mentors to support students academically?

For the longest time, policymakers, school districts, and educators have been trying to figure out how to use the power of mentoring to support students academically. Early on, this led to mentoring programs that were “mentoring” in name, but heavy on tutoring or other direct academic support in terms of the actual activities volunteers and […]

Different roles different styles: Study explores mentoring roles.

Different roles and different results: Is there an ideal mentoring style? Keller, T. & Pryce, J. (2012). Different roles and different results: How activity orientations correspond to         relationship quality and student outcomes in school-based mentoring. Journal of Primary  Prevention, 33, 47-64. Background: Recent mentoring research has shown that the quality of the mentoring relationship […]

POLL: Vote on your favorite advice for new mentors

At the beginning of February we posted a forum topic on the best piece of advice for new mentors. This wound up being our most commented on, and shared, post on the Chronicle to date! Thank you to the many individuals who contributed ideas as to what was most important for a mentor to remember […]

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FORUM: What’s the single best piece of advice for a new mentor you’ve ever heard?

  Obviously, preparing brand new mentors for their role is one of the most important aspects of building great relationships and, ultimately, achieving program outcomes. Drs. Janis Kupersmidt and Jean Rhodes are in the process of evaluating their promising, new evidence-based training, which many programs have already praised for it’s clarity.  But other trainings are […]

Mentors’ Corner: Should we e-mail, text, tweet, or “friend” each other?

Editors Note: In this column Gail Manza and Susan Patrick draw from their new book Mentor’s Field Guide, which is framed as a series of 67 answers to the most common questions that arise in youth mentoring.  Question 25. Will talking about my own life or beliefs help my mentee open up to me? If so, […]

Mentors’ Corner: How much should a mentor disclose?

Editors Note:  In this  feature Gail Manza and Susan Patrick draw from their new book Mentor’s Field Guide, which is framed as a series of 67 answers to the most common questions that arise in youth mentoring. We hope that you will share these links with the mentors in your program.  Question 25. Will talking about […]