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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.