Guiding Our Communities Youth

Written by Dylan Green, after attending Guiding Our Communities Youth training, hosted by the Seattle Tutoring Coalition.

This was a fantastic workshop. The theme of the discussion was the emotional drives behind some mentee behavior. While it was ostensibly targeted towards tutors and academic mentors, I felt the techniques discussed applied to almost all personal relationships. Many different types of mentee behavior were examined (Acting pitiful, apathetic or argumentative) as well as their motivations. Also discussed were our usual responses to these behaviors (doing things for the student, coaxing, fighting or giving in). After we’d broken down this cycle of behavior, new tools were offered that helped build a connection with the mentee rather than perpetuate the unwanted behavior.

After the general discussion there were a few activities that we were asked to do. Participants engaged in role-playing with Dr. McVittie of Encouraging Solutions, and hopefully got some tools to use in his mentor/mentee relationships. Participants gained insight into how mentors sometimes take responsibility for their mentee’s actions and how that made the mentee feel and respond. This was a really fantastic event. There is going to be another training later this month on the eastside, check the WSM training and event listings for more information.

Related links:
http://www.positivediscipline.com/
http://encouragingsolutions.net/