It is easy to fall into a ‘show and tell’ discussion. For a productive meeting, you need to be prepared.  Have a list of questions ready and make notes of the answers to be able to refer back to them.

Agenda items

Strategies for conversation

Possible mentor approaches

Take time getting to know each other.

Obtain a copy of the student teacher’s bio in advance. If one is not available, create one through conversation.

Establish rapport. 
Exchange information. 
Identify points of connection.

Talk about mentoring.

Ask:
Have you ever been engaged in a mentoring relationship?
If so, what did you learn from that experience?

Talk about your own mentoring experiences.

Determine the student teacher’s goals.

Ask:
What do you want to learn from this experience? 
Give the student teacher an opportunity to articulate broad goals.

Determine if the student teacher is clear about her/his goals and objectives.

Determine the student teacher’s relationship needs and expectations.

Ask:
What do you want out of this relationship?

Use mirroring: summarise for the student teacher your understanding of what she/he has said.

Template for first meeting
Template for further meetings