In this article we are going to address the question - Do teachers need to act as mentors for their students?
Well, let us start by understanding the meaning of the term "mentor." The most commonly understood meaning of the word mentor is an experienced or a trusted advisor. The next question on which we need to ponder is "What does a mentor do?" As the meaning suggests, a mentor gives advice. To be explicit a mentor helps one to grow in one’s social, mental, physical, academic spheres. A mentor is a person who guides the mentored to what he/she can do and achieve, for what he can stretch himself/herself. A mentor helps one to do a realistic SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. The endeavor of a mentor is not to deter one from aiming, but to direct one’s energies and efforts to be an achiever. Mentors help us to set realistic goals. Mentors trigger growth, by supplying students with special needs with a model to follow, a goal to achieve.
The answer to the question "Do teachers need to act as Mentors?" is a definite "YES." In case anybody is asked to name five people who have acted as mentors in his or her life, at least one out of these five would be of a teacher. The relationship between a teacher and the taught is not merely academic, but it is of knowledge and learning. A mentor influences one’s thoughts, perceptions, character and even emotions and so does a teacher. Through interactions, assessments and reprimands, our teachers influence us, make us realize our shortcomings, our talents, our assets. Teachers are positive forces in their student’s lives and are committed to their growth. They provide a student with the base and support that is required for him/her to be a positively contributing member of the society.
Mentoring is very close to a teacher’s job; in fact it is an integral part of teaching. There are many different forms of mentoring – Educational, Peer and Business. Any body can be a mentor. It is not necessary that the mentor should be an elder. Mentoring is a career and can be taken up after requisite training. It is a satisfying and a challenging job. Widening the skills of the learners, infusing confidence and commitment in young learners, helping them to grow and develop, and assisting transition all form a part of mentoring that benefits students with disabilities.
