Mentoring Qualifications

Mentor Qualifications:

Maturity, self-assurance, patience, and confidence in one’s knowledge and ability are prerequisites.

A good mentor is one who:
* Demonstrates commitment, competence, and a willingness to extend knowledge.
* Derives satisfaction from helping others succeed.
* Is a role model, advisor, friend.
* Builds confidence by teaching skills and offering feedback.
* Exhibits ethical behavior.

(New Mexico’s MESA Program)

A good faculty mentor is a teacher who:
* Is a skillful teacher.
* Is able to transmit effective teaching strategies.
* Has a thorough command of their own curriculum being taught.
* Is a good listener.
* Can communicate openly with the beginning teacher.
* Is sensitive to the needs of the beginning teacher.
* Understands that teachers may be effective using a variety of teaching. methods and is careful not to be overly judgmental.
* Focuses on teaching and learning outcomes, not curriculum content/outcomes.
* Remembers vividly the experience of a new teacher’s “shoes.”

(Van Ast, J., Woldt, J., Iowa State University)