Selecting a Mentor

How do you select a mentor? How do you know if they will be effective?

A mentor may be selected for you by your administration. Be open. Most supervisors of principals know their principals well and can ascertain whether the mentor is a good fit for you. If they miss the mark, talk to them about how you are feeling. Perhaps you are choosing a mentor yourself. If so, seek out someone who has mentored a number of principals. Some may even have national mentor certification. These are the mentors that have enough experience in working in schools to have seen the ups and downs and successes and failures of ideas and initiatives. They can help you diagnose where you are and help you develop viable plans and solutions. You and your mentor will build a confidential professional relationship and spend a good amount of time with one another. You need to like the time you spend together, so, you need to like the person!

Traits of a good mentor are many. A good mentor…

-  Is a great listener

- Asks good thought-provoking questions

- Seeks to understand first

-  Is a good observer

-  Prioritizes their time with you

-  Helps you research ideas

-  Provides potential options; without mandates

- Helps you identify opportunities and obstacles

-  Has a broad base of expertise and experience

-  Is well trained in the skills of a mentor