Three major ways that mentors influence their proteges are by heightening anticipation, deepening expectations, and helping proteges keep their creativity going. The role of mentor relationships is to find and highlight what makes the protege special and valuable and to facilitate the expression of this essence and the actualization of the…

This guide addresses how to both ask for and write letters of recommendations. To ask for a letter of recommendation is to ask for a favor, thus requests should be courteous and unassuming. An appointment to request a letter in person should be made at the professor's convenience, at least a month ahead of the recommendation deadline. If at a…

A biblical parable is used as an allegory for five principles of "stewardship" that teachers can use to guide gifted youth including teachers first teach correct principles; students set their own goals; teachers are available to assist students; students are responsible for seeking help; and students take responsibility for their stewardship. (DB)

Describes case study groups, a method to help teachers and other school personnel see what developmental and adjustment issues students face. Describes how case study group members collect information from a range of sources, code the information into behavioral anecdotes, spot gaps in information, and select new experiences that might help…

The nature of mentoring and the role of faculty in mentoring college students are discussed, and some guiding principles in the mentoring relationship are outlined. These address the quality of communication between mentor and student, the mentor's role as sounding board and knowledgeable reference, understanding one's own limitations, helping…

Considers how to provide a supportive, secure environment to children of divorce through opportunities to exercise personal control, being tolerant of variable academic performance, and expressing faith in children's character and capacity for growth. Provides suggestions for creating safe channels for communication and teaching children coping…

This guide, designed to accompany the "Middle Level Leadership Handbook" student guide, is helpful in assisting student advisers in building student leaders and overseeing student organizations. The guide begins with a section on leadership that covers how to process a learning experience, organize beliefs, and form ideas on leadership.…

Many believe our schools to be in crisis--a crisis brought on by educators having lost their sense of mission. What is needed, it is argued, is a new vision built on students' and teachers' highest potential. To achieve this goal, 101 activities that can foster students' self-esteem and responsibility are presented in this book. Assuming that…

Faculty need more general institutional information and training if they are to perform effectively as academic advisors. Three key elements in their preparation for this function are: a conceptual understanding of student development and of the advising process; institutional and curricular information; and relational skills and knowledge to…

Major functions of teaching assistants (TAs) and innovative methods are proposed. TAs help students learn through interaction, coach students in higher thinking skills, and provide a communication channel to integrate the course. A course planning guide based on performance objectives and classroom activities to stimulate student participation are…

The intended audience for this handbook is teachers, administrators and school counselors who would like to approach school populations with a more positive, solution-focused approach. The ideas developed are based on the principles of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and other competency-based models that address solutions rather than…

Twenty papers on motivating college students are grouped into four sections: (1) the impact of teaching on student motivation; (2) motivating diverse students; (3) the impact of university practices on motivation; and (4) the impact of assessment on motivation. After an introductory selection by Sally Brown, Steve Armstrong, and Gail Thompson, the…

Twenty-two gifted students (ages 18-25) were interviewed concerning their views of their high school years, specifically focusing on the kinds of support received from parents and teachers. The importance of parents' emotional support and their attendance at the child's activities are emphasized. Suggestions are offered for parents, teachers, and…

Designed to help improve the staff-to-student communication style in schools, this book shows practitioners how to go from adversarial approaches to caring and helping--without losing control of the situation. The book offers time-tested methods that counselors and therapists have used successfully for years, methods that can be modified for…

This paper discusses the campus climate as a critical element in the academic development of college students, with emphasis on minority and women students pursuing engineering and other technical degrees. Reforming the campus climate to make it more receptive to minority and women students requires: (1) a clear mandate from top administrators to…