Having served as both a mentee and a mentor, I know first-hand challenges I experienced in both roles. As a mentee, there were times where I felt as though I should know all the answers already. I had gone to school for teaching and felt slightly embarrased by asking for help. These feelings quickly subsided when I had gotten to know my mentors better and realized they were there to ensure I was successful. I was fortunate to be paired with kind and patient mentors who worked tirelessly to provide me with the necessary resources I needed to feel confident in the classroom.
As a mentor, I struggled with knowing the level of support I should provide to each mentee. Some came with previous teaching experience, while others were brand new to the profession. Deciphering the level of support for each individual was tricky, but I found that simply asking the mentee to share how they learn best was a great tool in helping me determine the most effective manners in which to support them.