MENTORS - Teaching Style

[RainInanna]

Hey Mentors,

What is your teaching style? Do you like to schedule lessons? Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you? Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes? Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling? How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign? Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?

[Autumn Clair]

Autumn Clair:

Mentoring: Dream and Divination, Breastfeeding, Meditation, Cooking With Herbs.

Teaching Style:
* I like to find out who the member is and what their looking for.
* It's really up to the member. If they want a lesson plan and exercises to work on I can do it.
If They want someone to just guide them and be a freiendly ear I can do that as well.
The main thing is to suit their needs and be supportive.
* I do have a specific lesson plan in dreams and divination and meditation.
(If they choose that root to go)
* Cooking with herbs I just keep it fun with recipes and tips.
* Breastfeeding I'm here to help in the way you need most :
SUPPORT,ENCOURAGEMENT and UNDERSTANDING.
I can tell you my experience and be the ear you need through
your hard times and cheer you on through the good time.
* I would suggest exercises and journaling.
* The time frame is totally up to them as long as I see they're trying to make an effort.

" I'd hate to have someone say they wanted to be mentored but then never communicate or try
doing things because my time could be spent with a member really wanting to learn."

I hope to bond with the mebers and have a friendship even after our mentoring ends.

[Zephyrstorm]

Willing to teach:
Meditation, Research Skills, Divination (Emphasis in Tarot and Tea Leaf Readings), Cottage Magic/Kitchen Witchcraft.

I'm interested in getting to know the people I work with before we get too deeply involved in precise lessons.

I can tailor the studies according to the student to a point - i.e. If they need a point by point lesson plan, I can do it. If they need someone to bounce ideas off of, I can do that too.

I will ask questions about the concepts and such to see if they are really thinking about the subject, and will suggest journaling and exercises.

In Kitchen Witchcraft and the magic of the Home stuff, I will encourage the person to come to a realization about what they need in their home and what makes them feel good about their environment as well as tips, recipes, and the like.

If a student is interested in Art History and Symbols - I am very happy to talk about that as well.

I'm a very artistic and crafty person, so some of my suggestions include things like collages and drawing and such - if a person doesn't trust themselves to be creative, or isn't comfortable with those sorts of practices, it might not be a good match... or they might surprise themselves.

My own current path is a bit of Wiccan-influenced Kitchen Witchcraft. I'm a fan of paradoxes and dynamic balance. I've been a member of the House of Netjer and can also talk about Kemetic beliefs to a point.

And I encourage the people around me to have their own opinions. I hope to learn as much from them.

[Vigdisdotter]

What is your teaching style?
Hands on. I like to get my students to DO rather then just intellectualize things.

Do you like to schedule lessons?
I do, since that allows me and the student to organize things appropriately.

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?
A little of both. First i need to know what the student is wanting to learn. Then I'll see how much they already know. THEN I'll figure out the starting point and work upwards from there.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?
Yes, though they tend to be informal things. I given homework a LOT, since this is the internet and I can't be there in person. Essays are a good way for me to see how the individual is processing what they are learning. And quizzes....that's an on going thing since every discussion will be a quiz of sorts.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling?
And more :)

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?
Until it's completed. Then we talk and see how things went. If it seems like nothing was accomplished, then I'll see if I can figure out why and give them a more useful assignment.

Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?
I do that too, as I think it's just part and parcel of things.

One final note. I fully expect anyone I'm teaching to use the brains the gods gave them. I don't hand out answers on a silver platter. I will help any way I can (which includes tough love if needed) but the student will have to walk their path for themselves.

[Nitefalle]

Wow....herm.....well, I've had several newbies in the past, but I never had a lesson plan or anything like that, nor did were they looking for that. I *could* do it, if it was required, though I'm a very informal sort of person. I do very well as a guide/counselor/sounding board, but again, if someone was looking for more, I could provide that. I'm sure some of the other lovely mentors here could be a sounding board for me, should I need help in that area.

[BlackLili]

What is your teaching style? I'm very informal. I can happily write everything out beforehand if it helps the learner, but I'm very fly by the seat of my besom.

Do you like to schedule lessons?
Only if the newbie wants them scheduled.

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?
As others have said, I am interested in meeting everyone on an individual basis, finding out who they are and how they best learn, and going from there.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?
If applicable.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journaling?
Always!

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?
Until they feel as though they understand. If there's a topic they don't want to work on, or they don't understand why we're covering Topic A before going to Topic B, we can talk through that and modify the lessons on the go.

Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?
I enjoy working as a sounding board with other energy-users, especially when they are already well-versed in another path different from mine. It becomes a lot less of the teacher-student paradigm and more like mutual sharing of knowledge. If this is the case with someone, I'm psyched! I don't mind acting as a guide either, though.

[Darkest Eve]

I'm a pretty 'go with the flow' type of person. I can structure lessons if that is what works for the student, or we can take things as they arise if they prefer. I like to start with things that they know interest them, and branch out from there. :)

[MariThorn]

I can mentor in Tarot, Lore, Spellcrafting, Ritual work, Household magic, and many more. If anyone wants to learn how the Catholic and witch connect, then I have helped there to before.

What is your teaching style?
I'm very informal, but I will utilize formal techiniques if I deem them needed.

Do you like to schedule lessons?
I think regular meeting times online are valuable.

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?
Depending on the topic I'm mentoring, but I usually have a syllabus.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?
Once again, this depends on what they are learning. Some things don't give themselves to homework.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling?
Yes, I insist on journalling.

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?
I expect them to get it done when its due. And I expect them to do it properly. Not sloppily.

Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?
I have counselled before, and have no aversion to being a sounding board, just remember you came to me for advice. Don't throw it in my face. Also, don't come asking to be mentored if you really want to dabble. My time is precious.

Marithorn

[aranarose]

What is your teaching style?
I like some structure, but that structure is very flexible. When teaching Tarot and Runes, and other divination methods, there is a specific order in which I teach things. You can't read a 36 card spread without first learning how to read a single card! When working with the Fae, and teaching about it, structure is virtually impossible, as the Fae won't allow it! As far as teaching my brand of Hoodoo Kitchen Witchery, there is some structure, and several books that I recommend, but Hoodoo is a personal and growing tradition, so a part of that structure is learning the tried and true formulas, learning what various ingredients do, and then developing your own style.

Do you like to schedule lessons?
Depending on the subject being taught. I dont' like to rush a student, but I don't like them dragging their lessons on and on forever either.

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?
I will first get to know each student, and their needs, and develop my lesson plans from there.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?
Yes. Homework is necessary to learn. We learn by practice, not just by sitting and reading a book. While there is much value in reading, there's nothing like getting our hands dirty, literally and metaphorically.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling?
Energy exercises are necessary for work with the Fae. It's a way of learning to connect and feel them. Journalling is necessary for any divination learning. And I encourage keeping a book of shadows, or something similar, for anyone embarking on a witchy path so that they have references as to what worked and didn't.

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?
It really depends on the assignment. Some things will only take a few minutes, but others will take much longer. I would expect a "Connect to a Tree" assignment to take far less time than a "Design your least favorite Tarot card" assignment.


Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?
I can be a counselor or sounding board when necessary, but prefer to be much more hands on in my teaching.

[Juniper138]

* Laid back and friendly, tough love if needed
* I believe in studying the theory then its time to get a practical education...by practicing!
* Honest and open and does not mince words
* Happy to help you find what you need to learn for yourself
* A rough lesson plan that can be adapted as needed
* Expect homework
* Some exercises may be required; journaling is helpful and recommended but not enforced.
* Happy to be sounding board, councilor, friend, on your butt or big meanie as needed
* I allow people to work at their own pace, so long as they are not being lazy

[seapearls]

What is your teaching style?

My mentoring style is casual but too the point. I get right to it so to speak and try not to waiver off topic much.

Do you like to schedule lessons?

No

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?


They guide my teaching yes. I do laid back Q&A with the new mentee on where they are, what they are looking for, what grabs at them etc. Then we go from there and start at the basics for the areas that are to be learned. I have no quetionairres prewritten either.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?

I usually assign readings for homework. I will suggest several links to be investigated and or read and then the mentee reports back to me when they are done and gives me their feedback. That lets me know where to go next.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling?

It depends on the subject.

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?

I expect them to try and find a little time each day to learn and I know that will vary from day to day. We are all busy so I don't push but if someone wants to learn they will make time for it.

Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?

I like guiding and teaching others but I am a good soundingboard too. What the mentee wants and needs from me is what I do.

[Tanya]

Hey Mentors,

What is your teaching style? Do you like to schedule lessons? Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you? Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes? Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling? How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign? Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?

Oh my goodness.... tests? assignments? I thought we were supposed to help, not pile on homework!!

The two nubes I've been talking to just talk, and I talk back.

they tell me where they are and where they want to go and I offer ideas, bits of my own experience on the subject if I have any, ideas for futher investigation if i don't.

I figure a mentor is just a friend who who might have a bit of experience to offer...

As a teacher i'm a believer in self-guided learning. People learn best when they are answering questions that matter to them.

So far we've talked about creating shadow books, building traditions, finding a path, relaxation and meditation techniques, and find a place as a pagan in the larger community... 'cause so far that's what they've wanted to explore... I think they are working on all the right stuff... those FINE gals.!

sheesh... i'm easy!

[Windsmith]

Oh, hell, I'm making this all up as I go along.

The first newbie I had, I just talked to informally. No lessons or tests or schedules. And maybe I was too casual, because she sort of vanished into the ether, but in the course of talking I think we both realized that the things she wanted to learn and the things I was able to teach were not one and the same, so it was a pretty amicable parting.

But I tend to let the newbie lead the flow of things. It's not a class they've signed up for. I don't need to give them a week-by-week lesson plan like my teachers do. I will be borrowing heavily from those lesson plans, though!

[Mysterious Willow]

What is your teaching style?
Depends on the person. I can either be an actual teacher or just someone to talk to and see what I have to say on topics. I do expect them to put effort into what they want to learn though. Also I would like to get to know the person first before going straight into it. That way I can get a better feel for how their personality is and present things to them in a way they can understand easier.

Do you like to schedule lessons?
I can if need be, that would be the actual teacher coming out :hahugh:.

Do you have specific lesson plans, or do you just let the newbie guide you?
A little of both. Like I said if need be I can do lessons but keep in mind that homework is part of the lessons. It's the best way for me to see that people are paying attention and learning something. As for the newbie guiding me of course, that way I learn new things too ^_^.

Do you assign "homework" such as research, essays, or quizzes?
Yes to all three depending on what the subject is.

Or do you suggest energy exercises and journalling?
Energy exercises depend on the subject but I believe that journaling can be good all over when learning something new. That way you can keep track of your progress and one day look back on it, but I don't require it ^_^.

How much time do you expect a student/newbie to spend on the "homework" you assign?
I will give them as much time as they need but I do draw a line. I can tell the difference between actual life getting in the way and people just making excuses because they don't want to do it. Keep in mind that I understand if people don't like something, I like to work things out to were they do and it fits who they are. That also goes for people seeming to just up and leave. I've never had a newbie do this to me but I still know the feeling when I role play with people. I don't get mad at either but it's just troublesome. All people have to do is talk to me, I don't bite I swear :bigblue:.

Or do you prefer just to act as a counsellor or "sounding board"?
I can do that too. I'm very open to anything the person wants to do. The only thing is that they have to tell me, I can't read minds yet :lol:.

[Kaliel]

Personally, the point of a mentor is to let the newbie discover on their own and to come to you when they hit a snag or fork in the road, and need some guidance and direction. I don't like to plan anything weekly because it just depends on the needs really, and how the path is going.

blessings,
Kaliel