Frequently Asked Student Questions

What is mentoring?

At the root, mentoring is the formation of a healthy relationship between an older or more experienced person and a younger or less experienced learner, or “novice.” To be mentored means that you have someone who cares about you and is willing to share his or her experience. But a mentor is not just interested in teaching. He or she is interested in your experience too and is ready to learn what you have to offer.

The word “mentor” comes from ancient Greek. The famous author (or authors! We don’t know who really wrote the Greek epics.) Homer used the word in one of the most well known epics of all time: The Odyssey. In this tale “Mentor” is used to describe the teacher/guardian to whom Odysseus entrusts his son, Telemachus. Current scholarship takes the word to be synonymous with wisdom, guidance, counseling and advising.

For more in-depth discussion on the origin and development of the word “mentor,” go to the following website. You might be surprised to find out about the entomology of the term and how accurate or inaccurate our use of the word is today!

http://home.att.net/~nickols/homers_mentor.htm

 

How frequently do mentors and young people get together? Where do they meet? For how long?

Optimally, mentors and students will meet for an hour once per week and participate in at least one cultural or educational event per month. Schedules will vary, however, and we realize that adjustments might be made. With the help of GrandAM staff, mentors and students will arrange meetings at the best time possible. As a mentee, you will be excused from one class per week to spend time with your mentor.

Principally, mentors and mentees will have one specific time and place to meet EVERY WEEK. This will make scheduling easier for school staff, mentors, and GrandAM. GrandAM staff, in coordination with teachers, mentors, parents, students, and agency preferences, will facilitate the meeting location and time agreement. If the time and/or place need to be changed, please let GrandAM know.

Below find a sample first month schedule. Note that for introductory purposes, GrandAM staff meets with mentor and mentee for their first session.

 

 

How long am I expected to commit to the mentoring relationship?

It’s best if you stay committed for a year. This provides continuity over a whole academic year and helps in unifying learning and goal achievement.

 

What sorts of activities do mentors and young people do together?

Mentoring isn’t all about talk. You are encouraged to play thoughtful, imaginative, and creative games. You might want to visit a website or demonstrate a skill that you have mastered. Maybe your mentor is interested in learning about Magic or some other game you like to play. What mentors and students do together is engage in the world. There’s a lot to talk about, play, learn, research, ponder, and discover. As long as it’s appropriate to the school environment, it’s included in our mission.

As an in-school mentoring program, GrandAM will focus some time on schoolwork and projects where appropriate. No academic topic is off-limits. You can work with your mentor on projects, homework, or other topics that are giving you a hard time. You can alternate activities in every session: talking, doing math homework, then discussing some new photos that you brought to share. Sometimes schoolwork might take a backseat altogether and you will focus on talking about issues in the news or discussing events, friends, or upcoming trips.

 

How do I get the relationship started? Does GrandAM help me?

You get the relationship started right at that first facilitated meeting. The mentor and mentee training prepares both parties to start right up with the program. GrandAM’s matching process also helps provide that mentor and mentee share some interests. Mentors will have activities, games, and other options for their first meetings, so the getting-to-know-you process can be done in a fun and relaxed manner. GrandAM will offer any support that it can, trouble-shoot any difficult problems, and aid in the process of moving forward together. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

(mentor@gw.grand.k12.ut.us or 260-9645)

 

Do you train and prepare the mentors too?

Yes. Mentors are thoroughly oriented and trained. They are familiarized with the policies and procedures of GrandAM and Grand County School District while also readied for and knowledgeable of what to do and expect during mentoring sessions or field trips.

 

What happens if I run into a problem with a mentor? What if we don’t get along? Can I quit? Does GrandAM offer any help?

If you have any concerns or questions about your relationship with a mentor, contact the GrandAM Coordinator, Dan McNeil, or a teacher. We will assist in remedying or mediating the challenge at hand and give advice, support, and feedback regarding effective relationship building. GrandAM staff is ready to discuss any questions or challenges that you might have during the mentoring process. (Our Policies and Procedures REQUIRE that you must contact us if specified or worrisome issues arise. If you feel uncomfortable as a mentee, you must contact us.) As declared by GrandAM’s mission statement, our aim is to support every student who wants it or for whom it would be of benefit. If you don’t get along with your mentor after we’ve helped you and the mentor reconcile your challenge, you can request a transfer.