Sherri Fickenscher M.S., CED, LSLS Cert. AVEd
Ashley Garber M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Fickenscher and Garber shared their four pillars of mentoring, asking the audience questions that prompted self-reflection on the role of mentors and mentees as “learning partners” during the LSLS certification process.
CREATING CONNECTIONS
What gets in the way of creating connections? Immaturity, ego, failure to value everyone, and insecurity. To eliminate these roadblocks, the presenters asked us to imagine, “What if we always assumed that people are trying their best?”
BUILDING TRUST AND CEMENTING EXPECTATIONS
Do you trust others? Do you trust yourself? Do you trust the process?
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE – CREATING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
We must get out of our comfort zones for true learning to happen. To help facilitate this, the presenters suggested asking real questions (instead of just telling mentees what you want them to know), focusing on mentees’ strengths, and encouraging mentees to challenge themselves.
ENGAGING IN HEALTHY FEEDBACK
Healthy feedback is relevant, practical, and specific. Mentors should be aware of signals about how mentees are perceiving their feedback and adjust accordingly. Mentors should also be open to feedback from their mentees.
All recaps are from my notes, memory, and/or presentation materials made available by the presenters. Any errors or omissions are my own.
Elizabeth A. Rosenzweig 