Mentoring Never Ends
Unlike this module, mentoring never ends. It is a life-long endeavor. While
this module was primarily focused on mentoring as a paraeducator, you will
find yourself in mentoring situations throughout your life, inside and outside
of the classroom or school. Whether you mentor your own child, your students,
another paraeducator, a parent, a teacher, a neighbor, or a friend, the
importance of mentoring never goes away, and the characteristics of good
mentors can be applied to all these situations.
Hopefully, some of the information in this module has inspired you to take
a closer look at the practices you currently use and compare them to the
practices that good mentors currently use. You undoubtedly can see at least
a little bit of yourself in these good mentor practices. This shows that
you have the potential to make a good mentor for the field of education
as a paraeducator. And that is a worthy cause!
Here are some closing thoughts and experiences from fellow paraeducators
that exemplify mentoring!
Linda Crum, Robinson Elementary School in Anderson:
“. . . I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful teachers. I have learned from Anderson’s best. [B]oth the administration and staff have supported and encouraged me. [They] valued me as an important part of Robinson’s learning community. They treated me with dignity and respect. In the classroom, the teachers that I have been paired with have allowed me to work with them, rather than for them.”
Connie Jones, Indianapolis Public Schools:
“When I first started in the classroom for children who have severe disabilities, I didn’t know much about my role; but the teachers and the physical therapist explained everything. They taught me how to talk with my one-on-one student, how to take him in and out of his wheelchair, and how to interact with him. The teachers and physical therapist have been great! They give me lots of advice on how to help my student…and any other student!
Phyllis Crabtree, Mary Feeser Elementary in Elkhart:
“. . . My teacher Jenny will treat me like a team player. I am treated with respect and trust. Jenny feels comfortable knowing that I will do my job. If I need to make a decision before I can check with my teacher she will back me up 100%.”
IPSP
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