What is Mentorship?

A mentorship is a supportive relationship established between two individuals where knowledge, skills, and experience are shared. The mentee is someone seeking guidance in developing specific competencies, self-awareness, and skills in early intervention. The mentor is a person who has expertise in the areas of need identified by the mentee and is able to share their wisdom in a nurturing way. 

In this relationship, the mentee has the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and observe a more experienced professional or parent within a safe, protected environment. Through reflection and collaboration between the mentor-mentee pair, the mentee can become more self-confident and competent in their integration and application of the knowledge and skills gained in the mentorship demonstrating best practice. 

The mentorship established between two individuals is unique to their needs, personality, learning styles, expectations, and experiences. Mentorship can be defined in numerous ways:

• ".providing regular opportunities for individuals and groups, less experienced and more experienced, in training and service settings, to reflect together about their hands-on work." (Fenichel, 1991)

 
• "A protected relationship in which learning and experimentation can occur, potential skills can be developed, and the results measured in terms of competence gained rather than circular territory covered." (Boston, 1976)
  

• "A significant, long-term, beneficial effect on the life or style of another person, generally as a result of personal one-on-one contact. A mentor is one who offers knowledge, insight, perspective, or wisdom that is especially useful to the other person." (Shea, 1992) See References and Resources