Weekly Training Resource
This week’s training resource is the eleventh chapter, about effective conversations about behavior change, of a training called Becoming a Better Mentor.
How does this help me in my mentoring relationship? This is a great resource as you think about SMART goals with your mentee.
Don’t forget to fill out the response form after completing each training.
Challenge for the Week
For October, the challenges will center around the theme of Character Education. This week’s challenge is to teach your mentee about responsibility. Responsibility involves students being accountable for their actions, working independently in an effective way, and meeting obligations. Start by asking your mentee for their definition of responsibility. Then ask them to think about their own experiences and how they have had to be responsible. Next up, talk about areas of their lives where they could start being more responsible or areas where they may have too much responsibility (or assumed responsibility). This is a great time to talk to your mentee about their responsibility as a student (do they truly know what they are responsible for as a student?), a sibling, a son or daughter, a community member, a teammate, etc.
Personal Responsibility
TRUE or FALSE – I do what needs to be done
TRUE or FALSE – I am reliable and dependable
TRUE or FALSE – I never make excuses or blame others for my actions
TRUE or FALSE – I always follow through on my commitments
Social Responsibility
TRUE or FALSE – I do my part for the common good
TRUE or FALSE – I volunteer in my school or community
TRUE or FALSE – I participate in community service
TRUE or FALSE – I do what I can to help take care of the environment
I think I am/am not a responsible person because _________________
You can follow up this self-evaluation with a discussion using some of the prompts below.
- What does “taking responsibility” mean?
- How does behaving responsibly affect our relationships with our friends? How important is that?
- How does behaving responsibly affect your relationship with your parents? How important is that?
- Have you ever caused problems for somebody else by being irresponsible? What happened? Would you do things differently if you had another chance?
- Has anybody ever caused problems for you by being irresponsible? What happened? What do you wish that person understood about what happened?
- How does it make you feel when somebody lets you down?
- How does it make you feel when you have let somebody else down?
- Do you think there is any connection between being responsible and being trusted? Between being responsible and being respected?
It would be great if you shared answers to these questions as well. Model being vulnerable and open in honest conversations. Talk, listen, share and learn together!
Tip of the Week
Some other ways you can help support someone who has experienced trauma, is by focusing on choice and collaboration.
CHOICE:
- Include mentees in decision-making processes whenever possible
- Consider the environment and sensory modality that is best for mentees to engage (seek mentee input and be responsive)
- Allow mentees/families to choose how communication will occur (email, mail, phone, etc.) and what content is most important
COLLABORATION:
- Collaboration is about sharing power to ensure shared decision-making and honoring of personal rights
- Seek to be inclusive of your mentee’s voice when deciding on activities, style of communication, meeting days/times, etc.
We love seeing photos of you and your mentee spending time together! Please share them with us via your coach or using the hashtag #intentionalmentoringmadison
Mentor Coaching Group Meeting Dates
VAL: Monday, October 24th 6:30 – 7:30pm val@intentionalmentoringmadison.org
RYAN: Monday, November 7th 5:30 – 6:30pm Ryan@intentionalmentoringmadison.org
Upcoming Events to Note
- There are a lot of cool and FREE events at the Dream Bank on E. Washington St.. Check out the AmFam Dream Bank site for more info and to register.
- Free Library Events/Activities: Fitchburg Events Calendar Madison Events Calendar
- For Orchard Ridge events check Orchard Ridge Calendar
- For Toki events check Toki Calendar
- For Sennett events check Sennett Calendar
- For Cherokee events check Cherokee Calendar
- For Blackhawk events check Blackhawk Calendar
- For Memorial HS events check Memorial HS Calendar
- For West HS events check West HS Calendar
- For La Follette HS events check La Follette Calendar
If you have a change in personal information (phone/address/email) please respond to this email or notify your mentor coach ASAP.
All the best,
Intentional Mentoring