3 Things Mentors Can Help You With and 1 Thing to Keep in Mind in Your Growth Journey
I can remember this vividly.
We were at Camp White Lake in North Carolina during the winter months (admittedly not as fun as the summer at White Lake). It was a new teacher professional development series put on for all new teachers.
I was with my teacher friends Traci and Lynn and we were learning all the things. I specifically remember Allison Jennings teaching the iconic Trail Mix Parliamentary Procedure lesson, the yummy french toast sticks in the dining hall and not much else except this one particular moment.
We were saying goodbye and thank you to everyone and Mr. Bledsoe said to me with as much conviction as he always commands, “Sarah, I could see you doing my job one day.”
Say what?!
Sir, I am 23 years old, barely hanging on by a thread my first year teaching, having my students try and get me to quit everyday. There ain’t no way you see potential in this.
And yet, the comment was made, we said goodbye and I drove the 82 miles back home. And I was forever changed.
Someone that I looked up to spoke belief into me. Spoke truth into me. And that belief and truth gave me the permission to step up and do things that I knew I wanted to do but never gave myself enough credit for.
Mentors are defined as experienced trusted advisors. They are there to help you achieve your goals, reach new networks, push you and challenge you in new ways.
In this blog post, I want to share how a mentor can help YOU in your career, just like many mentors have done in mine.
3 Things Mentors Can Help You With and 1 Thing to Keep in Mind in Your Growth Journey
1️⃣ Knowledge
Mentors usually have some type of knowledge you don’t have that you wish to acquire.
Maybe that is something uber specific like “how to use this Learning Management System” or “how to successfully teach oral reasons to you middle schoolers.” Or it could be something more broad like “how to be present as a parent and achieve my goals in my career.”
A Mentor who has “been through the ringer” in these situations should be able to give you the knowledge you are looking for.
You might be asking yourself, how do I even know where to start?
Totally get that! For Ag Teachers, one simple way to start is by checking out Specialist Teachers, Past Germinate Speakers, National FFA Ambassadors or State Staff.
Find someone who has the knowledge you wish to possess and reach out to them! Those I just listed have volunteered (or get PAID) to help people, so don’t feel like you can’t ask. They WANT you to!
2️⃣ Connections
Y’all I am only 3 people removed from Taylor Swift. Now, if I wanted to use those connections (a student I taught at UGA was teammates with Travis Kelce) maybe I will be in the next Super Bowl box cheering on the Chiefs to their three-peat with TSwift.
The point here is this: mentors have an expansive network and can help you get introduced to new people!
How do you ask for a connection? Start with your mentor and give them a very specific ask.
For example, “I really want to expand my skills in editing my student’s proficiency applications, do you know someone who has excelled in that area that you could connect me with?” Easy peasy.
3️⃣ Feedback
A lot of times, mentors have “been there, done that” which means they are able to give you sound constructive criticism and valuable insights as you navigate new areas of your career.
Mentors might be able to notice areas of weakness and in turn can help give you tactical advice to strengthen your skills. In a practical sense, it might be asking your mentor a specific question about a situation, sharing recent contest results, or asking for feedback on an application, resume, or cover letter as you step into the next level of your career.
4️⃣Golden Key to YOUR Growth Journey
The personal development industry is a 40.1 billion dollar industry (yes, BILLION with a B). That means there are thousands of “experts,” courses, and books that claim to have the ONE ANSWER to your personal growth.
Well, friends. That is a bunch of baloney.
YES there are books, courses, speakers, conferences that will help you in certain areas and certain times in your career, life, relationships, etc.
And YES there are books, courses, speakers, conferences that you don’t agree with, don’t align with their values, don't align with your career, don't help you in your current goals.
You are going to experience things that help and some that don’t. This is where you use your mindful selective listening skills. This essentially means blocking out the noise of what “others” are saying/teaching and laser focusing on what is needed for you at this time.
For example, this year I am committing to honing my writing skills.
My full time job and what I do with G&G is a LOT of writing. Some very technical and some more informal (like this). I decided to join a membership with a writing mentor I trust and has helped me in the past to hone my skills by gaining her knowledge, expanding my network and getting weekly feedback on my writing samples.
I am tuning out all other noises at this time so I can double down on this one area, like reading professional development books, listening to leadership podcasts, or joining any other group that might sound exciting.
I know I only have so much time, so I am investing it into the area I need most, NOT what the world is telling me to do!
Mr. Bledsoe said one line and that built some trust. I continue to look up to him and reach out when I need a little help. He didn’t know that one little line would plant an idea in my head that would later turn into what you know, love and cherish with Green & Growing Education.
Did I end up doing his job? No.
Did I end up creating a community that is thousands of ag teachers strong working to better this industry in my spare time and continue to lead? You betcha!
Now that you know why mentors are so important, it’s time to start typing that email or text and asking for help, because you never know when someone will say one sentence that changes your life!
Now, if you are saying “Sarah, how they heck do I even find a mentor?” We have been there. A great first place to start is subscribing to the G&G Newsletter called the Gazette. It drops the first of every month and is filled to the brim with opportunities and announcements exclusively for ag teachers like you!