hen Sarah first signed up to be a mentor with The Mentorship Hub, she thought she knew exactly what she was getting into. As a seasoned school leader with over 15 years of experience, she had seen it all—working in both small and large schools, navigating the challenges of curriculum reform, and leading teams through the ups and downs of the academic calendar, parent challenges and, more recently, the global pandemic. For Sarah, becoming a mentor felt like the natural next step in her career. She had achieved success and wanted to give back, hoping to help younger women find their footing in an ever-changing education field, and within the male dominated leadership landscape. But what Sarah didn’t expect was that, in the process, she would end up learning as much—if not more—than her mentee.
The Unexpected Lessons of Becoming a Mentor
We’ve listened to our Mentors and provided help and guidance documents for the areas they felt they most needed support. We’ve included all of these within our Mentors Handbook for ease of reference:
- Ethics and Confidentiality Agreement
- Your first meeting - The Chemistry Call
- Suggested session structures
- How to help raise self awareness within your mentee.
- What to do if it’s not a match!
- FAQs for Mentors
Previous online Mentor Masterclasses
November 2024 - Mentors Masterclass
Rebecca Findlay - Head of Prep, Kellett School, Hong Kong
Beyond Advice: Building Trust & Authentic Connections in Mentorship
A School Leader since 2009, Rebecca has worked in schools both in the UK and internationally. With nearly 30 years experience in education, she has continued to learn and refine both her teaching skills and leadership practice. Rebecca is an advocate for international educators in achieving their potential both overseas and in repatriation, and was previously the Founding Network Lead for WomenEd Malaysia.
Within her Masterclass, Rebecca raised awareness with Mentors about the language which sometimes holds women leaders back. She spoke about the importance of generating authenticity, trust through a genuine commitment to the growth of others.
She also shared with mentors results from her recent research with mentees in what they most appreciate within mentorship.
Why People Believe In The Mentorship Hub and Katie and Thea.
They are women, running an organisation for women because they understand the unique challenges women experience in the male dominated education workplace.
They are current school leaders, and understand the demands of the education workplace.
They are teachers who recognise the need
for continuous learning.
They have a track record of great matches having matched over 200 pairs to date.
The organisation is driven by need and not profit.
The mentorship I've received through this hub has been life-changing. I feel more confident and empowered to pursue my goals! I think my mentor will be a life long friend.
Jessica L., Taiwan
Through the mentorship program, I gained new insights and courage to apply for a leadership position in another school. I'm truly grateful!
Maria A., Philippines
This mentorship program has helped me find clarity in my career path. It's been an invaluable experience! I feel that speaking with my mentor gives me the time and space to think and reflect. I wouldn't find the time without it.
Emily R., Malaysia
FAQs For Mentors
1. What is the time commitment?
Mentoring sessions usually last approximately 40 minues to 1 hour. However, the length should be flexible to accommodate the needs of the mentee and the mentor. We recommend holding sessions every 4-6 weeks by mutual agreement, but this can be adjusted based on circumstances such as urgent support needs or a quickly approaching job application deadline
2. How many sessions are expected?
We ask for a commitment of at least four sessions from mentors. Experience shows that it usually takes at least three sessions to build a meaningful rapport, but more may be necessary depending on the mentee's needs. However, where matches have been positive, the mentor-mentee relationship has been long lasting with our longest partnerships now entering their 3rd year together.
3. How are mentors and mentees matched?
We match mentors and mentees based on experience, life stage, culture, and other factors. Matches are made manually to ensure the best possible fit. If a suitable match is not immediately available, we will continue searching until one is found.
4. What should I do if the mentor-mentee relationship isn't working?
Building trust and rapport takes time, so we encourage at least three meetings before considering changes. If, after several sessions, the partnership still isn't working, please contact us at admin@thementorshiphub.org, and we will work with both parties to find a respectful solution and graceful exit.
5. Who do I contact if I have concerns about my mentee?
If you are concerned about your mentee’s well-being or mental health, please reach out to us at admin@thementorshiphub.org. We will discuss the issue confidentially and help plan next steps.
6. What additional support is provided to mentors?
We hold online Masterclass sessions throughout the year where mentors and mentees can share experiences and learn from one another. We also provide a Handbook for all our mentors.
Additionally, we are available via email at admin@thementorshiphub.org for any questions or support you may need. We also provide mentor resources to all who are matched.7. How can I ensure confidentiality during mentoring sessions?
Confidentiality is essential for building trust in the mentor-mentee relationship. All participants are required to commit to a confidentiality agreement. If confidentiality is breached, please contact us immediately so we can address the issue.
8. What is expected from mentors?
Mentors are expected to guide, advise, and share their experiences. Storytelling is encouraged, as it fosters connection. However, it's important to protect intellectual property and confidentiality, avoiding the use of specific names or situations that may compromise privacy.
9. Is there a provided / suggested structure for mentoring sessions?
We don't prescribe a rigid structure for sessions, as we believe conversations should evolve naturally. However, you can prepare by reminding your mentee of upcoming sessions and beginning by discussing their recent successes. Feel free to use open-ended questions to guide the conversation and encourage reflection. We will share some suggested sentence starters and broad structures for new mentors to use if they wish.
10. How much of the session should be guided by the mentee?
The mentee should guide the direction of the session, with the mentor serving as a co-pilot. However, mentors can provide gentle guidance to ensure that the conversation remains productive and focused on growth. Mentees are supported in this through their onboarding.
11. Can I still be a mentor if I don’t have a leadership title?
Absolutely. The Mentorship Hub is not focused on titles or roles. It's about connecting women who have valuable expertise and experiences to share, empowering both mentors and mentees to grow.
12. Can I be a mentor if I have never mentored anyone before?
Absolutely. Mentoring is a great opportunity for professional growth. We are careful to match all our mentors with mentees who they will be able to support and as long as the match is correct then we believe everyone has the power to be a successful mentor. We also run workshops to support new mentors and are always on the other end of an email to offer guidance if needed.
13. What should I do if I know others who may want to join The Mentorship Hub?
If you know someone interested in joining, ask them to email us at admin@thementorshiphub.org with 'Interest in Joining The Mentorship Hub' in the subject line. We will keep them on file for future matching cycles.
14. What if I am not matched?
We do not guarantee a match. We only guarantee we will keep reviewing our database for suitable matches and will actively recruit when we have shortages in certain skill sets. This is what makes The Mentorship Hub special and different - we match when the fit is right in the hope that we form connections for women that will last a career.
15. Do I get paid as a mentor?
We do not pay mentors. Mentees pay an annual administration fee for the matching service and to ensure their commitment to the investment of mentor time. Mentors can access the online sessions free of charge and can gain certification for their work as a mentor. You can access information about the wider benefits of becoming a mentor through our website.