Monday, January 11, 2016

Mentoring reflection

Time for some deep reflection on my mentoring...

Before I head into my mentoring sessions for 2016 I want to reflect deeply on the 2016 journey. Hazel has framed some wonderful questions for me to reflect on, so I will start there.   I will move on to a framework I saw in a Dr Libby write up, and will conclude with some goals for myself heading into the new year. 

Hazel's questions:

What has surprised you?
I guess the biggest surprise for me this year has been the growth in my mentoring 'comfortableness'.  I have had a large number of mentees this year and I am in awe of the journey we have all made. Without a doubt virtual mentoring has enabled us all to get to a place of increased capacity.  Relationship building has been crucial to the journey.  With regular mentoring sessions it has been possible to develop trusting relationship where we have been comfortable to journey into, at times challenging, at times difficult and at times unknown territory.  I have been most surprised by the development of my listening skills, listening as much for what is unsaid as what is said.  Organisational capacity has also surprised me this year.  We have, in many cases, developed clever systems of notetaking and recording an action from a current session, which we report on prior to the next session. I am surprised at my confidence in supporting action plans.

What has challenged you?
I have been challenged by time.  I am often reading through notes immediately prior to a session, when I am sure I would gain a lot more if I read them a day earlier and mulled them over before the next session.  I have also been remiss with re-reading notes from a current session before I close the document for that session.  This is definitely a goal I want to work on for this year. I continue to be challenged by having the 'right' questions or provocation at my finger tips.  I have developed a folder of resources to have at hand to further support me.


How do you feel as a mentor now?
Early in 2015 I had a lot of doubts.  I lacked confidence in my ability to be the 'right' mentor for my mentees.  I lacked trust in myself to work the best mix of support, motivation, challenge. I had also not spent enough time on the modules to support me in my journey... Well so much has changed.  2015 has seen significant growth in my confidence, my awareness, and my enjoyment.  I am absolutely loving being a mentor.  I think it is one of the most powerful things anyone can be and have.  I know, without a doubt, that without a mentor, I would not be anywhere near where I am today.  (Which triggers another blogpost - who has mentored me?)

What does this tell you about yourself as a learner?
I love challenge, I am very determined, very reflective, empathetic and genuinely want to be able to support educators to see their strengths and work through their challenges and not only survive but shine. I deeply value the role of my mentor and continually strive to emulate this experience.

How can we support each other more as learners (mentors) and through the UChoose online community of practice?
For me - it is essential that I communicate with other mentors. The strength gained from conversations and interactions with mentors, face to face at hui, or virtual through our modules and webinars has been immense.  I have had the privilege of sharing some of the success of mentoring journeys… we could be sharing more… I should be sharing more… I will share a story on the VPLD site TODAY!!!!!!

Challenging Conversations...

Friday, January 8, 2016

Owaka 150th Celebrations

Holiday time, 150th Celebration time, Catlins... YAY!  I picked Mum up early this morning and off we set for Owaka.  We met up with Jenny and Colin, and Glenda and John and took flowers to Grandma and Grandad's gravesite, and to Aunty Margaret and Uncle Buds.  


It was blowing a gale so instead of an outdoor picnic we lunched inside at Jessie Coutts place.  

Next stop was the Centenial Waka.  I love it!  Jessie said there has been a lot of comment and controversy about the material it is made from.  I think it looks wonderful!





Next up a drive up Katea Valley to visit the family homestead... well what's left of it.  I can imagine many fun times spent building huts in the hedge.  Jessie told us how her father had planted all the macrocarpa around her place next door, so I imagine Grandad planted these quite some time ago.


Glenda, Jenny, Colin and I had a good old poke around the old place in the wind.  I even managed to find a cute old bottle to take home for a vase, after a bit of a clean up.



I think these wheels would look fabulous in my garden... but it doesn't belong to our family now so guess its not to be...


Thistles now invade the patch that I am sure would have boasted a fabulous flower and vege patch.


From the road, the house looks nothing but a pile of sticks...


We drove further up the valley past the Cheese Factory and on to the site of the Katea school.


A lasting tribute to those who left the valley never to return...


On our way back out of the valley we encountered a classic Katea Valley traffic jam...



Next stop, Catlins area school for a look at collections from the past and photographs.



As we manouvered between the displays a lady (Dawn) said to Mum, wow, I was in the Balclutha maternity hospital with you, to Mum.  She retold the story to Mum of how she remembered her because she had stayed in Pounawea too long before heading home and had to stop on the way home for the arrival of a precious little baby... well guess who that was?  Me!  





After much searching we were delighted to find photos of Mum and her siblings.  This photo below has Margaret Kean (back left), 



In this photo below we have my Mum, middle row, fifth in; Altha middle row, far right; 



Katea Valley School history...


In the photo below Fred Kean (back row - second from left); Mary Kean (third row - fourth from right); Frank Kean (second row - far left); Margaret Kean (second row - third from right); Eileen Kean (front row - third from right)



Photo below - Kathleen Kean / Mum (middle row - fourth from left); Eileen Kean (middle row - third from right); Altha Kean (middle row - far right)




 Fabulous reminiscing with the Landreth family members.  



We drove up Keatoa Tce for a reminisce, looking at where Grandma and Aunty Bridgy used to live.  Then took in Teapot Land... 1296 teapots on display!



As the sun shone we drove over to Pounawea and up to Aunty Margaret's place!


High tide makes for stunning views at Pounawea...



...a little windy still...


Blue cod at Lake Waihola on the way home was a slightly different experience.  The gates to the lake side were locked for fear of trees falling in the ferocious winds!


And finally a stunning welcome home to Mosgiel!



What a truly magnificent day out!
And would you believe, when I dropped Mum back I noticed a book sticking out of her bookshelf... a book I am sure I have never seen before and just look what it was! MAGIC eh!


That's my reading sorted for this weekend!