Listening, Play, and Social Attraction in the Mentoring of New Teachers

• In Event: Graduate Students, GTAs, and First Year Teachers: Managing Support, Stress, and Tensions

Abstract

Sixty-two first-year teachers answered a questionnaire about their mentors’ empathic and directive listening, playful communication, social attractiveness, and ability to help them manage dialectical tensions of socialization. Results revealed two tracks leading to the protégés’ managing tensions. Findings suggest that mentors receive training in empathic and directive listening techniques. In addition, mentors should be encouraged to have informal and playful communication with protégés to foster positive relationships.

Authors

• Carl Cates, Valdosta State Univ

• Raymond Young, Valdosta State Univ