Module 2: What kind of mentor will you be? by Vickie Trotter

What kind of mentor will you be?

vickietrotter67 — 2025-03-17 00:10:44 UTC

Which quadrant(s) of the Mentor’s Compass feel most natural to you (Navigator, Encourager, Strategist, Watchful Observer), and why?

North (N) – Navigator: Guides with experience
East (E) – Encourager: Supports and motivates
South (S) – Strategist: Helps problem-solve
West (W) – Watchful Observer: Provides reflective feedback
CLICK ON THE ORANGE PLUS TO ADD YOUR RESPONSE.

vickietrotter67 — 2025-03-17 00:49:26 UTC

Example: While I strive to be a balanced mentor, if I had to choose one quadrant that reflects my natural approach, it would be the Strategist.

Why:
New principals deal with a lot of tough situations that don’t always have easy answers. I tend to step in as a Strategist, helping them sort through what’s most important, think through the challenge, and find a path forward that feels doable and empowering.

Encourager is the most natural for me. I feel like it’s my job to help people see their hidden gifts and celebrate how they put them to use.

2025-08-14 17:58:49 UTC

schemonia10 — 2025-08-14 17:58:55 UTC

Strategist - I love to problem solve with my new leaders when they are experiencing situations for the first time.

2025-08-14 17:59:07 UTC

While I am naturally a navigator and strategist, I need to consistently remind myself to balance my approach. "Listen more, talk less " is my personal mantra.

kgennerman — 2025-08-14 17:59:08 UTC

I think I will venture towards the navigator role. This is both good and bad!! I feel empathy for the new principal, so it feels good to give them your experience and some suggestions. I know what the pitfalls are and I want them to avoid them. The negative side of that is that it could rob them of their own opportunity to understand and grow from my questions, not my answers! :)

2025-08-14 17:59:25 UTC

I think I lean most heavily into the Strategist role. In the principal environment, it can feel like new things are constantly coming at you. I think because of this, I am always thinking about how to make a system from scratch or make a current system better to improve on efficiency and effectiveness.

2025-08-14 17:59:28 UTC

Strategist

Encourager

2025-08-14 17:59:47 UTC

While all areas of the compass are important- I am a natural encourager and tend to find the positives in most situations. WHY this will be helpful: I can remember feeling overwhelmed as a new principal, not being sure that I was ready for the role. The times I received encouragement and someone who helped to point out my strengths and what I could bring to the students, staff, and parents was very helpful. Some days just hearing a reminder made all the difference.

2025-08-14 17:59:49 UTC

I believe I am most likely to fall under the category of the Strategist.

I am naturally a problem solver and love finding solutions with the Encourager attitude "you can do this"!

2025-08-14 17:59:50 UTC

I am naturally a strategist and enjoy asking questions and providing prompts to engage principals in thinking about systems and processes that make their life easier.

Navigator; Use experiences to help mentee move forward!

2025-08-14 17:59:59 UTC

Where do you want to be at the end of the year, how do you get there?

spuruson — 2025-08-14 18:00:06 UTC

I also try to embody each of the quadrants on the Mentor's Compass. However, if I had to choose one, I would say I am an encourager because new principals may suffer from imposter syndrome and need to know they were the best person chosen for that job, and support them as they gain confidence by having effective systems in place.

Navigator

2025-08-14 18:01:06 UTC

I believe my almost 38 years in education and 21 years as a high school principal allows me to guide with experience. While I haven't seen everything, I can relate most problems back to something similar in my past. I also feel that I can remain calm during problems, listen, and thinking before I act.

2025-08-14 18:01:40 UTC

Quadrant: Supports and Motivates

Why: Listen then have them reflect. Be there cheerleader.

A strategist...solving problems collaboratively is a strength but I need to watch out for taking over!

2025-08-14 18:02:13 UTC