Opening my circle. One of the things I’m most grateful for is that people have introduced me to other educators, leaders, teachers, etc. I’ve been invited to Friendsgiving dinners, encouraged to attend POCIS events, and so much more. Because of someone else’s willingness to expand their circle, I’ve been able to find housing, find new jobs, and discover my graduate school program. And because of the mentorship of others, I’ve progressed to new heights in my career. I commit to doing the same. Outside of my institution of employment, I plan to introduce myself to people with “first-year” badges on, exchange phone numbers, and introduce them to my network.  

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Push people forward, even if it may not be beneficial to me. A mentor that would rather keep their mentee close instead of providing them opportunities to propel them forward is a flawed mentor. Let other people lead, learn, explore, and when it comes time for them to leave to go on to greater adventures, I’ll wholeheartedly support them. 

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Pick up the phone. A simple text or phone call goes a long way. Each connection doesn’t require some profound conversation, but a simple check-in can make a big difference to someone’s day. 

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Be present. Successful mentorship requires me to be present when (and how)  the mentee needs me. Absenteeism is not an option. 

Share just enough information. There is such a thing as oversharing and unloading. It’s important to know that threshold and understand what is being shared, why it is being shared, and how it will impact the mentee.