Mentor Role: Defined by Webster's New World Dictionary defines a mentor as a "person looked upon for wise advice and guidance." A mentor may play many roles:

• coach
• trainer
• teacher
• cheerleader
• advocate
• opener of doors
• friend
• guide

Although a mentor may be a role model, a true mentor does not ask another person to "be like me." A mentor says, "I will help you be whoever you wish to be."

A mentor is not a parent, a peer, a counselor, or a bearer of all truths.

• Establish a positive relationship
• Develop life skills
• Assist youth in finding resources
• Increase students' ability to interact with other social and cultural groups.

• Do not share personal addresses or personal telephone numbers.
• Do not meet outside of scheduled school or program events.
• E-mail messages should be consistent with the 6-week curriculum.
• Copy all e-mail transmissions to the appropriate coordinating lead teacher.
• No interaction with a student is acceptable outside of the framework of the e-Mentoring Program. Permission MUST be obtained from the e-Mentoring Program coordinator, lead teacher and you must receive permission from the student's parent or guardian if you are to have an interaction with a student outside the framework of the e-Mentoring Program.
• Deal with special problems or situations promptly; talk with your e-Mentoring Program coordinator or contact at the high school lead teacher for advice.

• Start by building a genuine mentor relationship
• Be professional in all communication.
• Respond promptly to all messages.
• Resolve all communications promptly by contacting either the e-Mentoring Program coordinator or your high school students' lead teacher.