Joseph with his mentor Jan Chambers TICA Junior Achievers What is a Mentor? Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: men•tor   (men´tôr, -tr), n.     1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.     2. an influential senior sponsor or         supporter.     —v.i.     3. to act as a mentor: She spent years         mentoring to junior employees.     —v.t.     4. to act as a mentor to: The brash young         executive did not wish to be mentored by         anyone.       [1740-50; after MENTOR (< Gk Méntr)]     —men´tor•ship´, n.     —Syn.1. adviser, master, guide, preceptor. The Junior Achiever's mentor will be the guide, counselor, and coach to the Junior Achiever. The mentor is an important and central figure in the Junior Achiever Program. Each JA should select or be assigned a mentor when they start the program. A mentor can mentor more than one JA, but needs to be sure they have the time to dedicate to multiple JAs. The mentor is responsible for guiding the JA through the learning process. The mentor is also responsible for checking the JA's notebook, checking his/her work and signing the JA's notebook that the work has been completed. The mentor should be familiar with the JA program. Qualifications to be a JA Mentor: Must be a TICA Member Must be a working member of a TICA Club Must be familiar with the JA program Being in the same region as the JA is important Attending some of the same shows is essential Being available to the JA is essential ****A mentor is not a babysitter.**** ****The parents or guardians are responsible for the JAs and their behavior at a show, not the mentor.**** Responsibilities and Helpful Qualities for a JA Mentor: Have a rapport with youth. Understand the baggage they are bringing with them, accept them, take them from where they are to where they need to be. Understand that you cannot instill your goals and ambitions, nor your ethics and morals, but you can nudge them in the right direction. Show and lead by example. You can't "teach" them, but can facilitate their learning by providing opportunities for them to learn about their breed and other felines, about sportsmanship, about show etiquette and the fundamentals of what the cat fancy is all about. Being in the showhall regularly with them and grabbing the "teachable" moments will have far more impact then a formal learning setting. Hands on learning has the most impact. A mentor is simply someone who cares enough to want to help a young person accomplish a goal that HE/SHE has set, whether it is directed by guidelines of the club, organization or preconceived plans. A mentor learns as they go, oftentimes. Knowledge is NOT the key element—willingness to learn along with the young person is! Knowing how to say "I don't know but WE'll find out" is essential. Any JA Mentor can solicit and encourage the advice, help and support of other adults in the showhalls. Mentors will have aid in teaching from other JA support such as clinics and breed seminars. Willingness to be a part of the JA's life . . . they are after all going to be bonding with the JA and working with them. Making sure the JA is getting their levels and requirements completed. This page maintained by: Elektra Comments welcomed. 10/7/2006 © Copyright 2000-2006 TICA JUNIOR ACHIEVERS, All Rights Reserved Hosting services donated by Troika Systems Web Design