Profession learning mentor

Learning mentors support underperforming students both inside and outside of the classroom in order to increase their academic success. They assist students experiencing (multiple) disadvantages, such as learning difficulties, behavioural issues, and attendance problems, and also assist gifted students who are under-challenged. They may also work with adult students in the further education system. Learning mentors develop schedules and action plans with the students in order to plan the necessary mentoring activities and monitor progress. They also liaise with the students' teachers, educational psychologists, school social workers and, if necessary, with the student's parents, in order to improve the student's educational development.

Personality Type

• Social / Artistic
• Social / Investigative

Knowledge

• Behavioural disorders

  The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

• Learning needs analysis

  The process of analysing a student's learning needs through observation and testing, potentially followed by the diagnosis of a learning disorder and a plan for additional support.

• Learning difficulties

  The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.

• Communication disorders

  The malfunction in a person's ability to comprehend, process and share concepts in various forms, such as verbal, non verbal or graphical during language, hearing, and speech communication processes.

Skills

• Consult student's support system

  Communicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.

• Support children's wellbeing

  Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.

• Liaise with educational support staff

  Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues relating the students' well-being.

• Counsel students

  Provide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family problems.

• Adapt teaching to student's capabilities

  Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.

• Assist students in their learning

  Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Encourage students to acknowledge their achievements

  Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.

• Oversee extra-curricular activities

  Supervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.

• Monitor student's behaviour

  Supervise the student's social behaviour to discover anything unusual. Help solve any issues if necessary.

• Liaise with educational staff

  Communicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with the technical and research staff to discuss research projects and courses-related matters.

• Communicate with youth

  Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.

• Show consideration for student's situation

  Take students' personal backgrounds into consideration when teaching, showing empathy and respect.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB