International Gifted Education Teacher-Development, Network

Services: Cyberspace Mentorship
Program

On this page

1. What is the purpose of the Cyberspace Mentoring Program
2. What are the goals for the Cyberspace Mentoring Program
3. Who is eligible to participate?
4. How can teachers participate?
5. What are the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees?
6. How do participants communicate with one another?
7. What do people GAIN from mentoring relationship?
8. Tips for successful mentoring relationship
   
9. Feedback and assessment of Cyberspace Mentoring Program

What is the purpose of the Cyberspace Mentoring Program?

Primary school teachers in developing countries such as South Africa and the Caribbean often encounter children in their classrooms who are exceptionally bright and performing two or three grade levels beyond their peers.  The culturally diverse children they teach are often economically disadvantaged and with limited English proficient.  The purpose of the Cyberspace Mentoring Program is to connect primary and secondary school teachers with American (or international) gifted education specialists/experts who will provide guidance, support and alternative teaching methods.  Countries that we currently focus on are areas within southern Africa and the Caribbean.

What are the goals for the Cyberspace Mentoring program?

The pilot Cyberspace Mentorship Program is designed for the duration of one year with 25 Mentor/Mentee pairs.  Each Mentor can choose to have one or two Mentees. This program is intentionally designed to be flexible, organic and growth-oriented to allow for self-correction and continuous improvement.  Based on the learning of the first year pilot experience, the facilitated mentoring process will be adjusted for continuation.  

Who is eligible to participate?

While the focus is on attracting beginning teachers as Mentees, any teacher currently employed in a southern African or Caribbean primary school may participate. The online application will ask for demographic information and the name of the school where the Mentee teaches. We invite highly experienced and knowledgeable gifted education specialists and experts to be Mentors. To facilitate productive and successful mentoring relationships, we encourage participants to possess the following attitudes and qualities:

• Self-motivated
• Open to and respect different approaches and perspectives
• Unafraid to ask for assistance
• Willing to take risks
• Committed to the time and effort necessary for the mentoring relationship
• Able to maintain confidentiality

How can people participate in the Cyberspace Mentorship Program? 

To participate in the Cyberspace Mentorship Program, individuals are invited to fill out an application and provide a completed profile to be incorporated in the IGET-Network website.  Prospective Mentees can click onto the cyberspace mentorship program link to review each mentor’s profile to find suitable mentors.  In addition, the IGET-Network director or program coordinator can provide assistance in matching mentoring pairs based on the information from the application form and profile.

What are the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees?

Research has shown the importance of establishing common understanding about expectations, clearly defined mentoring objectives, and communication method.  To prevent unclear expectations, misunderstanding and disappointment, the roles and responsibilities of the mentoring participants are defined as follows:

Mentors

• Advise and answer specific questions posed by Mentee
• Share his/her areas of expertise and knowledge
• Guide and nurture the development of Mentee
• Be a cheerleader and confidant
• Act as a role model and a teacher
• Be a resource and provide referrals
• Respect confidentiality

Mentees

• Act as a student and a learner
• Seek honest feedback and guidance from Mentor
• Take responsibility for self-development
• Be considerate of Mentor’s time and energy level
• Be self-motivated for growth and development
• Be open and courageous to explore uncharted course
• Respect confidentiality

How do participants communicate with one another?

Due to geographical distance and time zone difference, the communication exchange between Mentor and Mentee is conducted via Internet (e-mails and website).  Mentor profiles are posted on IGET-Network website where Mentees (with Password) can search and review the qualifications and experience to make a selection of a suitable Mentor.  Participants may also use other forms of communication programs such as Skype or long-distance telephone, or even snail mail.

What do people GAIN from mentoring relationships?

The benefits for mentoring have been well documented.  The following summarizes the most frequently articulated benefits:

Mentors gain—

• An expanded view of the challenges faced by new teachers to identify, develop and nurture gifted children
• An opportunity to pass on his/her area of expertise, and professional experience
• A sense of achievement through guiding the development of new teachers
• A relationship with another (most likely younger, less experienced) person who can provide a feeling of revitalization
• An opportunity to contribute to the mission of International Gifted Education Teacher Program
• An opportunity to continue learning and growing as a world citizen

Mentees gain—

• An opportunity to learn from experienced gifted education specialists/experts
• Educational resources and network
• A sense of being part of community of gifted educators—not alone in his/her struggle
• Specific guidance on organizing lesson plans and other teaching skills
• A role model for self-development
• Confidence in knowing that others have succeeded in this special field of education

Tips for successful mentoring relationship

Any successful human relationship does not evolve by chance, and so is true in a mentoring relationship.  We offer the following tips for success to the mentoring pairs:

• Allow time for trust to be developed
• Create a safe environment
• Be open to listen
• Communicate in ways that encourage interactive discussion
• Be willing to share background, career history and goals

Feedback and assessment

During the course of the Cyberspace mentoring program, participants are invited to give honest feedback to the IGET-Net Director and Mentoring program coordinator regarding any aspects of the mentoring relationship.  At the end of the pilot program year, a survey will be conducted to evaluate the program and make the necessary adjustments for the following year.