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Mentoring Program at the NASP Annual Convention
The Student Mentoring Program is returning for its fifth year at the NASP convention in Boston. As in previous years, this program offers a unique opportunity for graduate students, early career practitioners, and seasoned professionals to meet for an hour to discuss questions and issues related to the school psychology field.
For the first time, early career practitioners can participate in the mentoring program as both a mentee and mentor, letting them learn and grow from both avenues. Also at this year’s convention, mentees have the opportunity to match themselves up with mentors who share a common interest in bilingual studies!
Students and Early Career Professionals Benefit From a Mentor
How the Mentoring Program Can Help
Graduate students and early career practitioners have limited opportunities to meet and develop relationships with professionals outside of their program or school district. The mentoring program can help students reach out to other professionals by providing the time to engage in a comfortable and flexible mentoring relationship outside of a university program or employment setting.
How to Make the Most of the Mentoring Experience
A mentee can get more
from the mentoring session by:
- Setting a goal or identifying a focus for the
meeting.
- Preparing for the session in advance by
reviewing the list of sample discussion topics for ideas, and identifying
questions or issues to discuss with the mentor.
- Opening the meeting by communicating your goals
for the session.
- Taking notes or jotting ideas during the
meeting, for later reference.
How Do Mentees (Students and Early Career Professionals) Sign Up?
If you are a graduate
student or early career practitioner interested in meeting with a mentor,
please review mentor information and select the person who best matches
your interests. Once you have selected your mentor, you will both receive
e-mails with your respective contact information.
Seasoned Professionals Benefit From Serving as a Mentor
What Can Be Gained By Serving as a Mentor?
As seasoned professionals, you have limited opportunities to engage with graduate students and early career practitioners. However, the experience that you have is invaluable to the professional development of others. By volunteering as a mentor, you can share your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to the needs of all graduate students and early career practitioners.
What a
Mentor
Does:
A mentor may:
- Provide an objective opinion on issues or problems
presented by the mentee.
- Provide technical information about best
practices in school psychology.
- Help prepare the mentee for or guide the adjustment
to professional practice.
- Help the mentee prepare for or adapt to a
professional environment.
How Do Mentors (Seasoned and Early Career
Practitioners) Sign Up?
If you are a practitioner
interested in serving as a mentor, please complete the brief online
registration form. Potential mentees will be able to review mentor information
and select the person who best matches their interests online. Once a mentor is
selected, you and your mentee will receive e-mails with your respective contact
information. It is your responsibility to contact your mentee (preferably within two
days) to plan a meeting time at convention.
Questions:
If you have questions,
please e-mail mentors@naspweb.org.