Monthly Mentoring Commitments

First Year Mentors: Fall 2017-Spring 2018

 

Suggested Activities

Fall Quarter 2017:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join.
  • Visit each other’s class: Mentor and Mentee – Invite each other to observe each other’s classes,
    • During informal meetings, use this time to discuss how adjustments are going and get to know one another.
    • During formal meetings, create conversations around the topic of the month, or another topic of interest.

 

September topic: Syllabus, (over) prepping and First class [1]

  • Mentor Tea- September 18, 2017 from 2-3pm
  • Meet your mentor/mentee (at Faculty Retreat if possible)
    • Get to know your mentor/mentee over coffee. Share a bit about each other, talk about goals for the mentoring program, what you each expect, time commitments for each person. Discuss the Mentee’s syllabus, talk about prepping for class and their first day teaching.

 

October topic: How to structure meaningful conversations in class

  • Two meetings
    • Meet informally and formally

 

November topic: How to create a meaningful final

  • Two meetings
    • Meet informally and formally

 

December topic:  Overview of the first Quarter

  • One Meeting
    • meet informally or formally

 

Winter Quarter 2018 Suggested Activities:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join

 

January topic: Reviewing your course evaluations

  • Two meetings
    • meet informally and formally

 

February topic: The dark side: incivility, cheating and plagiarism:  “dark-proofing” your class

  • Two meetings
    • meet informally and formally

 

March topic: Setting boundaries with students outside of class time

  • Two meetings
    • meet informally and formally

 

Spring Quarter 2018 Suggested Activities:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join

April topic: How much help should you give for mid-terms and finals? – creating self-regulating students.

  • Two meetings
    • meet informally and formally

 

May topic: Group work without tears

  • Two meetings
    • meet formally & attend tea
  • Mentor Tea: End of year 1 celebration

 

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Second Year: Winter 2018-Fall 2018

Winter Quarter 2018 Suggested Activities:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join.
  • During informal meetings, use this time to discuss how adjustments are going and get to know one another.
  • During formal meetings, create conversations around the topic of the month or another topic of interest.

 

January topic: What goes into a pre-tenure file?

  • Mentor Tea- September 18, 2017, from 2-3pm
  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally and informally

 

February topic: Writing an internal faculty grant

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally and informally

 

March topic: Bringing your Christian faith into your classes

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally and informally

 

Spring Quarter 2018 Suggested Activities:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join.

 

April topic: Differences in teaching small and large groups

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally and informally

 

May topic: Getting the average student engaged or making 8am classes useful

  • One meeting
    • Meet formally

 

 

Fall Quarter 2018 Suggested Activities:

  • Attend 1 chapel together
  • Attend 1 CSFD/ETM event together
  • Go off campus once: Get lunch! Invite another mentor group to join.

 

September / October topic: Ending your course strong in week 9 & 10

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally and informally

 

November topic: Creating your pre-tenure file statements

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally

 

December topic: Putting together a successful file

  • Two meetings
    • Meet formally

 

Things to keep in mind:

  • Set your quarterly meetings up in advance…at the very beginning of the quarter or even just before the quarter starts. That way they are on your calendar and you will have an easier time actually meeting up with each other. If you set them as you go, schedules get crowded and mentoring can fall to the bottom of the list.
  • You have a budget of $200 to spend throughout the year. Go to lunch, see a play, enjoy a spa visit, get your nails done, take your spouses out on the town, go hiking and get some gear for the trip. Anything within reason is up for grabs! Please be mindful that the maximum amount per person for meals is: Breakfast- $14, Lunch- $17, Dinner- $25.
  • You must turn in all receipts to Jenn Wilson. Receipts MUST be the, original, physical copy, with a detailed list of items purchased. No alcohol can be purchased using SPU money. Receipts must be submitted within 30 days. Receipts turned in after 60 days for reimbursement will be charged tax for the expense.
  • Direct any and all questions regarding your mentor funding to Jenn Wilson at Wilsonj17@spu.edu or (206)-281-2003.

[1] The suggested topics – are just that. Suggestions!  However, most of the writings on higher ed mentoring list these as important attributes for a mentoring program.  You don’t need to be an expert – just share what works for you and what you learned from your own history, practice and mistakes.