Mentoring
Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their careers and is becoming increasingly popular as its potential is realised.
It is a partnership between two people (mentor and mentee) normally working in a similar field or sharing similar experiences.
The skills needed to run a successful school are very similar to those needed to run a successful business. In a business/education context, both the mentor and the mentee have much to gain from the experience and it doesn't need to take up a huge amount of time.
How is Mentoring Facilitated?
Core to its success is a relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.
Mentoring provides an opportunity to gain:
- A positive role model and a friend
- More responsibility for own learning
- Increased confidence and motivation
- Improved future prospects
- A raised company profile within the community
- Better interpersonal and communication skills
- Greater understanding of the education system
- Professional development
- Greater understanding of young people
"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be."
Eric Parsloe, The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring
Mentoring provides development opportunities for mentors as well as great personal satisfaction. Being a mentor can improve your leadership skills and enable you to learn from alternative approaches and different ways of thinking. It can be challenging, inspiring and enlightening. A mentor can be defined as 'an experienced and trusted adviser'. You don't have to be at the top of your profession to be a mentor. You do not require any previous training or experience in this area to be a mentor. Full support will be given to you and we can create a mentoring programme that suits your needs. In the first instance it's important to find out if mentoring is the best route for you. A member of the Determined to Succeed team would be happy to help you make this decision.
You can also get involved in job shadowing opportunities, coaching opportunities and supporting teachers applying for the Scottish Qualification in Headship.
Get involved
To find out more about getting involved, contact the Determined to Succeed team on tel: 0141 242 5977, email: