[nabs-l] mentoring, was High school outreach

Sat May 16 02:13:57 UTC 2009

Good break-down. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Aziza C
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 6:02 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] mentoring, was High school outreach

Why is mentoring important? Mentoring is important because it sents a
positive example for the studentbeing mentored. The student will learn from
the mentors what is possible, and recieve direct examples of how to do
things. Also, young students tend to listen to people who aren't their
parents, even if the person says the exact same thing as their parents. A
blind mentor could give the "If I can do it, you can do it," vibe off.

Who can mentor? Anyone can be a mentor, it depends on who wants to, who has
the drive, attitude, and desire to try.

How is a match made? Well, if we develop a survey about mentors likes,
dislikes, majors and future goals, and do a similar one for the high school
student, then match up results as closely as possible it could be
benificial.

How is it supposed to be done? Mentors should not push their ideas down
their students' throats. They should present the facts, state their
oppinion, support it, and then ask questions to find out the student's
oppinion, and help develop it into something doable. Be encouraging, and
understanding, approachable.

What are the benefits? There are benifits for both parties. The mentor isn't
the only one teaching. Both will walk away with a good experience, insight,
encouragement, and possibly a friend in the future.

 When does the mentoring relationship begin and end? I don't think a
mentoring relationship, if it works out propperly ever truly ends. I
personally think of many people as my mentors, but I've also begun to see
them as friends too, so the relationship hasn't really ever ended.
I still go to them with questions for advice, and ideas, help and support.

On 5/15/09, Antonio Guimaraes <aguimaraes at nbp.org> wrote:
> Okay,
>
> With so much talk about mentoring, what do you guys think is 
> mentoring? How is it supposed to be done? What are the benefits? When 
> does the mentoring relationship begin and end? How does it begin and end?
>
> Why is mentoring important? Who can mentor? How is a match made?
>
> These are all questions I can try and answer and research, but I am 
> curious what you think.
>
> Let's hear it from the most vibrant blind student generation.
>
> Antonio M. Guimaraes Jr.
>
> ReadBooks Coordinator
> National Braille Press
> 888 965-8965, ext 40.
> aguimaraes at nbp.org
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Aziza C" <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 1:03 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] High school outreach
>
>
>> Well? If it hasn't worked with NABS, maybe Angela is right. We can 
>> start state by state, and designate people to keep in touch with 
>> other states in order to make sure out of state students can have an 
>> opportunity to meet a mentor.
>> It is understood that a mentor isn't just for one night. And, 
>> honestly it isn't that hard to be mentored or mentor. I am seventeen, 
>> joined the NFB at fifteen, and the friends I have made are mostly 
>> older than me, but I see them as mentors as well as friends. Also, I 
>> received a call from one of these friends asking me to be a mentor 
>> for a sighted student about blindness. It isn't a very intricate 
>> system that needs to be set up. I think we need people willing to do 
>> it, a method of keeping in contact,  a way to publicize it, and a way 
>> to check up on progress.
>> Aziza
>>
>> On 5/15/09, Antonio Guimaraes <aguimaraes at nbp.org> wrote:
>>> Angela,
>>>
>>> NABS has tried the mentoring thing before, and maybe even still does 
>>> it for convention attendees.
>>>
>>> It hasn't historically worked well to my knowledge, because I think, 
>>> we as an organization don't define mentoring the way that it should 
>>> be defined, and a program conducted.
>>>
>>> I will expand on what i mean on a later post, but mentoring is more 
>>> than here is the mentor, and the mentee/student, you guys go do your
thing.
>>>
>>> there needs to be a defined set of goals and expectations for the 
>>> mentoring relationship, and you don't mentor someone by sitting next 
>>> to them at a meeting for one evening.
>>>
>>> Just my thoughts,
>>>
>>> Antonio M. Guimaraes Jr.
>>>
>>> ReadBooks Coordinator
>>> National Braille Press
>>> 888 965-8965, ext 40.
>>> aguimaraes at nbp.org
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 5:55 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] High school outreach
>>>
>>>
>>>>I love the idea of a mentoring program like the one you guys are 
>>>>talking  about. I think, however, that these programs are best 
>>>>handled by the  individual state divisions. How can NABS encourage 
>>>>the states to put  something like this together?
>>>> Just thinking about California, and how we could best enact this  
>>>>plan. The first thing we would need is a list of all the colleges 
>>>>and  universities in the state, and how many blind students attend each
one.
>>>> Then
>>>> we would have to contact these students and, maybe also offering 
>>>>them  some  incentive, determine whether or not they would be 
>>>>willing to participate  in  the program. Then we would need to 
>>>>compile a database of the people who  are  willing. Once that is 
>>>>done, we market, market, market the program to  high  school juniors 
>>>>and seniors throughout the state. When high schoolers are  in  need 
>>>>of a mentor, they contact us, we pair them with someone, and then  
>>>>follow up with both parties to make sure all is going well.
>>>> What do you guys think?
>>>> Angela
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>>> On Behalf Of Liz Bottner
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:00 PM
>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] High school outreach
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I think this is an amazing idea. I'd be willing to help in any way 
>>>> that I can.
>>>>
>>>> Liz
>>>>
>>>> email:
>>>> liz.bottner at gmail.com
>>>> Visit my livejournal:
>>>> http://unsilenceddream.livejournal.com
>>>> Follow me on Twitter:
>>>> http://twitter.com/lizbot
>>>> Consider helping blind and visually impaired Delaware students in 
>>>> the March for Independence:
>>>> http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/TR/walk/General?team_id=28
>>>> 30&pg=tea
>>>> m&fr_id=1050
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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