5 SIGNS OF LANGUAGE THAT UNIFIES.
One year of Being a Student Mentor is over. I am very grateful for this opportunity to work in the educational environment where I can meet students from different countries, where I can meet colleagues of different age and background, where I can experience supportive bosses and a modern working space. I was trying to find out what was helpful for me and of course, what could be even better. My self-reflection helped me to find out 5 signs of a language that helps unify us, sometimes no words are needed.
1. SMILE IS A DOOR TO A SOUL.
Not all students understood what a mentor does. As an adult in an educational institution I was perceived as a person who is going to discipline or lecture them. Somebody who wants to discipline students can’t be smiling, that’s the student’s theory and experience. At the beginning, approaching students with a smile created a bit of confusion and suspicion in their minds. After a time, smile opened the door to their soul.
2. SENSE OF HUMOUR BOOSTS A MUTUAL TRUST.
There are many types of humour. I want to write about humour which creates bonds.
HUMOUR AS A BRIDGE which can connect people, not divide. Laughing together means being a part of a group, enjoying the moment together, releasing tension, having something in common, it’s belonging.
HUMOUR AS A SELF-REFLECTION of our own daily experience, showing to students that I am approachable, that I am able to laugh at myself. This humour intensifies mutual relationship and this relationship intensifies mutual trust.
HUMOR AS A FIRST AID that is soft, striking but helping even the bumps in tough situations.
3. SHARING OPENS OUR MINDS.
Students are interested in my life. I love telling my stories with them. Sharing my stories can bring light in their life situation. It can bring the AHA moment to them. They are willing to share their stories and yes, many times I get my AHA moment, which helps me to understand what’s going on in their or my life.
4. LISTENING TO BE LISTENED TO NOT JUDGED.
All of us, we appreciate if somebody listens without being judgmental. There is always a reason for our behaviour. If we are judged, we feel disappointment, anger, frustration. I am trying to follow Walt Whitman’s quote: “Be curious, not judgmental.”
5. QUESTIONS MATTER.
Many times we say:
“Why did you do it?”
“How is it possible that you did this!”
“Why didn’t you come?”
We can get a bigger picture with questions as:
“Tell me. What happened to you?”
“Try to describe me what happened.”
“Tell me. What have you been doing yesterday in the morning about 9 am?”
Thank you for this year when I could learn from students and other professionals I met. What I want to implement more during the next scholastic year, that’s supporting student’s strengths and boost their self-confidence.
Thank you for reading my self-reflection, any suggestions are welcome.
Agnes Klocokova