Discussion #5

Reading Assignment:
From text: Story One: The Waiting Place
Story Two: Fired, Hired, and Inspired
Discussion 5: Grade: 15 pts. Post a substantive message by 11:59 PM, Monday, March 23;
Post a response by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, March 25.
Read pages 65 – 80 in the textbook.
Reflective Question: From the questions listed on p. 80, select three that are of particular
interest to you and comment on each of them (by March 23). Respond to at least one other
person in the class who selected at least one different question (by March 25).

Through reading “Story One: The Waiting Place” in our textbook, I was able to really better
understand the relational aspects that go into a mentor and mentee relationship. I chose three
questions that truly intrigued me as I read through this story.
QUESTION 1: Which presented the greatest challenges for the mentor? Why?
This story began with a list of challenges for the mentor to face. First, Mr. N had not been
accepted into this role in a welcoming way. He came in during times of hardship and
turmoil. He was not given the necessary support at the beginning. Now his mentor came
in, after he had already had to step up as a teacher without help, and instead of guide him
from the beginning, work to correct all the mistakes he had in place. It is much easier to
begin someone on the right path and keep them on that path with helpful supports.
Instead this mentor had to work to fix many details with a lack of support from on school
staff. The next challenge the mentor faced was lack of school support. The school did not
have good expectations and supports in place, and actively failed Mr. N in this regard,
from blatantly bad-mouthing him to just not offering a hand. This was so difficult for the
mentor because she could not be there all the time, and she should not be to sole support.
Everytime she left; Mr. N was left to an unorganized school that didn’t treat him fairly.
Finally, Mr. N’s follow through presented a challenge. He had good intentions, but with
so many other factors he was overwhelmed. He quickly fell into his old ways and
struggled to follow through with any useful tips the mentor could provide. This was
difficult for the mentor because she had to realize that mentoring is more than just
providing solutions but growing the teacher so that they can effectively and confidently
implement those solutions.
QUESTION 2: Who demonstrated leadership in this situation? How?
Both the mentor and Mr. N demonstrated leadership in different ways, while other school
staff and administration did not. The mentor was the most obvious example of leadership
 in this story. She came in and stepped up to her role. Even though at the beginning she
did not see herself as an expert, she took on this role with stride and never let any self-
doubts get in the way of her job of helping Mr. N. She showed leadership by standing up
to administration when they just didn’t have faith in Mr. N, and she told them that the
position they put him in had a large factor in it. She was able to show leadership by doing
her best as a mentor for Mr. N and stepping up when needed. When their mentor/mentee
relationship ended, she went as far as to step back in when needed and help him on his
future endeavors. She showed leadership by really developing a relationship and doing
what is best for Mr. N as a person and teacher. By the end Mr. N began to show
leadership qualities as well. In the beginning his lack of follow through was not helpful,
however with the help of a mentor he began to grow in confidence and finally realize that
it was his time to step up to the plate for real.
QUESTION 3: Have you experienced similar situations? How did you negotiate the
tensions?
I have experience similar situations, especially as a mentor. In my job, I am a supervisor
of between 8 to 12 staff and get to develop that mentor/mentee relationship with them.
Unfortunately, at my current position we have to fight the battle of being overlooked by
administration and not getting as much support. I had a similar experience with a staff I
will call Jeff. Jeff was new to the position and I got to work with him and grow him. He
got put into a tough position and got moved to a classroom where he was not as
comfortable. He immediately had a negative attitude about this as he felt like he was
moved without any choice of his own. He started following other staff instead and
suddenly the teacher who would always have fun with the kids and loved them, started
having an attitude and not wanting to try with them. This is where I was able to intervene
and start being a mentor. I really tried to talk with him a lot and give him possible
solutions and just get him to talk through his thoughts. With support, he began to realize
that he needed to step up and do what he knew was right, instead of just following along
with the chaos. He began to improve and built a great relationship with the kids. He
ended up quitting due to financial reasons, but I sat and helped him navigate that as well
and offered him a recommendation if he wanted. As a mentor, I realized I just really had
to be that support system and a sounding board. I needed to offer solutions and really be
proactive with them. Then on the administrative side, that was a battle I constantly fought
and would always bring up concerns and stand up for him.