WVSCA MENTOR PROGRAM

The WVSCA Mentor Program is designed to foster professional growth, leadership development and meaningful connection across the WVSCA community.

Through intentional mentor-mentee relationships, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Develop capacity for advocacy and leadership within their school counseling roles
• Navigate and strengthen systems that support student success
• Reflect on personal, professional and career goals
• Build supportive relationships with fellow WVSCA members

This program aims to create a supportive and collaborative space where mentors and mentees work together to identify goals, assess development needs and learn from one another’s experiences.

Requirements

• All participants must be current WVSCA members
• Participants are required to attend a mentor or mentee training session prior to the start of the program
• Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet at least twice per month
• Mentors: school counseling professionals with more than five years of experience
• Mentees: graduate students in school counseling programs or school counselors with fewer than three years of professional experience

TIMELINE

Program Structure

• Mentoring relationships are one-to-one and tailored to individual needs and goals
• The mentoring commitment is for one year
• Participants are required to attend the welcome session prior to the start of the program

Mentor Expectations

Mentors play a key role in supporting the growth and development of fellow WVSCA members. Mentors are expected to:

• Build a one-on-one relationship tailored to the mentee’s needs
• Encourage and suggest relevant professional resources
• Motivate mentees to take initiative in their professional growth
• Share insights on career paths, leadership and professional development opportunities
• Support mentees in identifying skills, strengths and career goals
• Provide honest, realistic and encouraging feedback
• Practice strict confidentiality
• Ask thoughtful questions and listen actively
• Share ideas, information, contacts, publications and other resources as appropriate
• Meet with their mentee at least twice a month for one year
• Mentors are not expected to provide supervision, evaluation, mental health counseling or crisis support

MENTOR APPLICATION

Mentee Expectations

Mentees are encouraged to actively engage in the mentoring relationship. Mentees are expected to:

• Participate in a one-on-one relationship tailored to their needs
• Collaborate with their mentor to set and work toward goals
• Reflect on development needs and professional growth areas
• Demonstrate interest in learning and career advancement
• Remain flexible and open-minded
• Learn from their mentor’s experience, knowledge and perspective
• Meet with their mentor at least twice a month for one year

MENTEE APPLICATION