Schools across America are crying out for people who have a few hours each week that they can spare to mentor school-aged children. Do you have what it takes to take on the responsibility of a mentor for children? Read on to find out.
Patience
If you are lacking in patience, then you will find that the job of mentor will be a very challenging one. You will have more of a tendency to expect children to understand and apply concepts at a much faster rate. But this method can stunt a child's growth. Rather, mentors should have a mild disposition and be patient with children in their care, not expecting them to instantly grasp what has been taught or discussed with them.
Pleasant Manner
What do your friends, family and work colleagues think of your manner? Are you friendly and approachable, or do people shrink from you? If you have trouble with presenting a positive manner around those whom you know, how will you act around children who are strangers to you? Mentored children need to feel comfortable and secure around their mentor, rather than feel afraid that they might say or do something that will upset them. That would completely defeat the purpose of taking on the responsible position of a mentor.
Motives
Before you agree to take on a mentoring position in a school, take a look at yourself and ask yourself what your motives are in seeking to mentor children. Are you doing it solely for the money? If it is a voluntary position, do you expect to receive praise for your efforts? A mentor must want to do more than receive monetary compensation or praise for what they are doing. They should also have a genuine liking for children and genuinely want to make a real difference in the lives of children who are in need of extra assistance.
Mentoring a school-aged child can be a very rewarding and satisfying experience. Not only do you get to see a child grow in respect for you as time goes on and you gain that child's trust, but you also get to see how your efforts have made a difference in someone else's life as they make progress in their academic studies, social skills and other aspects of life. If you feel that you have the necessary personal qualities required to become a mentor then by all means apply for a mentoring position.
