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Matching Students and Telementors

In matching students with Telementors, Project Liaisons are encouraged to keep in mind the following matching criteria:

(1) Students' academic and career interests (from Student Application).
(2) Student and mentor hobbies (from Student Application and Mentor Profile).
(3) Mentor Support

  • Is mentor able to address the student's expressed areas (topics) of interest?
  • Is mentor able to address student concern with particular subject matter (i.e. math)?
    (4) Mentor Preferences--Mentors may have expressed preferences about whether it is important to them to be matched by field, gender, institution, or ethnic/racial background.
    (5) Mentor's expressed ability to be frequently on-line (from Mentor Profile) -- with student expectations/needs (subjective).
    (6) General impression of students and mentors (subjective assessment and style/tone of Mentor Profile).

    Matching is best done with the help of a friend or colleague. We strongly recommend that Project Liaisons collaborate with another teacher in pairing students with mentors. Project Liaisons are encouraged to use the on-line Teachers' Lounge to discuss questions and concerns that may arise around the matching process. CCT Telementoring Staff are available to assist when necessary.

    Orientation & Preparation

    An Orientation Meeting serves as an opportunity to clarify the Telementoring program for students, explain the program to parents, and answer any questions that might arise. It also sets the tone of the Telementoring Program at your school. During the Orientation Meeting, Project Liaisons are expected to:
    • Host the meeting.
    • Show the Telementoring Video
    • Distribute a Telementoring packet to each student.
    • Answer student/parent questions.
    • Allow each student time to complete the Telementoring Student Application.
    • Collect Network Use Agreement forms that have been signed by participants and their parents. Send signed forms to CCT staff.

    Before actually meeting their mentors on-line, students are asked to compose and share a short biography on the listserver that acts as the Student Lounge. These bios are the major way in which students will introduce themselves to Telementors and others in the program. Student bios, approximately one page in length, include: the student's name, family information that student feels is relevant (e.g. number, names, and ages of siblings), interests at school (e.g. classes that student is taking or has enjoyed), extracurricular interests, and career interests.

    Additionally, students are asked to think about and record initial questions they would like to have answered by their mentors and (if desired) by other students in the program. Students' "Burning Questions" will be shared and critiqued by other project participants in the Student Lounge.

    Participation Requirements

    All students selected must have individual e-mail addresses as well as access to computers and telecommunications tools. The young women should also be involved in science, engineering, technical or computing project work and interested in forming a relationship with a female professional in these fields.