Mentor Guidelines

1. Be reliable and on-time -- better yet, be a little early.
2. Be prepared for what you are working on. Make sure you have all the materials you need to complete the lesson (i.e. robot, cables, laptop, chargers, worksheets, etc.)
3. Be organized. Work through the lesson plan before going to DSA. Know what should happen during every step of the lesson plan.
4. Dress comfortably, but remember that you are a role model for the students.
5. Names are important. Make sure you say the student's name the way the student wants it to be said. Learn to spell it correctly. Calling the students by their first name shows you care, and you will be able to communicate with them more easily.
6. Make sure the student knows your name and can pronounce it correctly.
7. Treat individuals with respect and courtesy and expect the same in return.
8. Be patient when working with students. Give yourself time to find your niche.
9. Be trustworthy and honest in your approach and attitude. Students will trust and respect you when you are real.
10. Show that you are interested in the student as a person by listening carefully to what they say and showing you care by words and action.
11. Communicate your objectives clearly. Tell students what they will learn by the end of the day.
12. Communicate your expectations for the task at hand. Outline what is and is not acceptable for each task.
13. Show excitement about the work you are doing with the students. It will be contagious.
14. Encourage and support student successes. Build self-confidence by praising them honestly and frequently. Remember attentiveness and effort is as important as performance.
15. Accentuate the positive and minimize the negative.
16. Give thorough explanations using age-appropriate language.
17. Resist the temptation to lecture. Similarly, do not tell the students exactly how to complete the task. Encourage students to ask questions and make discoveries. Support student inquiry and independent work.
18. Ask questions to determine what students know and think. Provide positive reinforcement for jobs done well and effectively.
19. Avoid making comparisons between students, between mentors and between groups.
20. Always remember to be fair and consistent.
21. Students make mistakes. Let them know that making mistakes is part of learning. Do not be afraid of making mistakes yourself.
22. Remember you are their mentor and not their friend. You should not have contact with the students outside of the program unless the Program Coordinator and parent are made aware. This includes social networking (such as Facebook, mySpace, bebo, etc.), instant/text messaging, phone calls or in-person meetings.
23. Accept students in terms of their backgrounds, values, manners and vocabulary as theirs may be different from yours. By giving of yourself, by sharing time and by caring, you are making a difference.
24. Be yourself! Be flexible! Have fun! This should be an enjoyable experience for all involved.