COMMUNITY
Words from the Hall
If the Mentoring Hat Fits, Wear It! by Pauline Carochi
O
ur views of life are always a matter of perspective. Most people believe that each year begins on January 1, but teachers and students know that a new year commences when school starts. Maybe that is why I never made New Year’s resolutions but instead in August set goals complete with action plans. I suspect that many of you, at least informally, also set goals as hope for a great school year fills your heart. This autumn, the first goal on my list is to redouble my efforts to be an effective mentor. Even though I know that you already wear too many hats, I ask you to join me in being the best mentor you can be. Why? Because as Dr. Seuss said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Even after coaching at the same Colorado high school for 40 years, my
48
passion for our activity has never waned. As speech and debate coaches, we teach students the life skills that are essential for personal and professional success. We imbue in our kids the desire to become lifelong learners and empower them to become action oriented. We make them part of the team/family we create and give them a safe place to belong while they learn to spread their wings. In return, our kids become woven into the fabric of our lives, never to be forgotten. None of this joy and growth is possible without a program headed by a passionate coach. Notice, I did not say experienced coach. This is where mentoring matters. Every year coaches quit for myriad reasons. Some coaches are replaced. Other schools allow their programs to be relegated to the graveyard. The NSDA understands and is
ROSTRUM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
focusing on the problem of coach recruitment and retention. However, as communication educators, we know that the best message is the one that is delivered in person. Thus, as our next exciting year of competition begins, let’s reach out to mentor not just the brand new coach but every coach. To demonstrate how and why mentoring makes a difference, I am going to employ the story paradigm. Many of us are better able to see ourselves in the mentoring process when we are presented with the context of characters and storyline. In fact, many of us teach our competitors to employ this technique.
Mentoring does not have to be formal. In fact, some of the best mentoring occurs during the teachable moment. Sister Isabella Glen, a Hall of Fame member and a longtime coach
at a very small Colorado Catholic high school, wore a habit complete with the traditional headdress and was an imposing figure with the face of an angel. While she was serving as a parliamentarian at our national qualifying Congress tournament, the students were debating a bill to overturn Roe v. Wade. No one would raise a placard to speak on the affirmative side. Sister stood and walked regally to the front of the chamber to proclaim, “Children, I do so love a good debate. Behind this dress lies a very open-minded woman. Now, debate! Debate!” She taught everyone in the chamber a lesson. Do not allow your preconceived notions to hold you back.
Good mentors allow their actions to speak for them. Before James Copeland, a member of the first Hall of Fame class, took over the reins as Executive