STEPS BICOLOR INFO

MENTORING

CLOSURE

01

Revisit your Purpose

Closure Prep

Best- & Worst-Case Scenario

Mutual Accountability

Exercise & Table 8.1

Acknowledge time for closure

Ground Rules for comclusion conversation

02

Myself

Gifts & Strengths

Self Reflection

Make it Better

Exercise & Table 8.2

Apply It

Next Step

03

Closure Checklist

Exercise & Table 8.4

Purpose

What was the goal?

The goal was to help my mentee adapt to her new role as Site Coordinator at our after school program, after moving back from San Antonio and being in a teaching postion.

Best Case Scenario

Worst Case Scenario

• Site Coordinator fully prepared for independent program management
• All learning objectives achieved with demonstrable results
• Strong relationships established with all stakeholders
• Innovative ideas implemented to enhance program quality
• Smooth transition plan in place for ongoing support

• Some learning objectives not fully met
• Challenges in certain areas of program management persist
• Unexpected program or staffing changes occur
• Time constraints limit thorough handover process
• Uncertainty about ongoing support after formal mentorship ends

Mutual Accountability

• Joint commitment checklist: Create a list of final tasks for both Project Director and Site Coordinator. Check off items together as they're completed.
• Program challenge tracker: Maintain a shared log of ongoing program issues. Review regularly and tackle solutions as a team.
• Key area sign-offs: For each major program component, one person completes a final review, the other verifies. Ensures both are actively involved in program readiness.
• Weekly readiness check-ins: Hold brief, regular meetings to assess the Site Coordinator's progress towards full program management. Address any remaining gaps together.
• Transition success scorecard: Develop a simple metric to measure readiness for program handover. Regularly review and update together, ensuring a smooth transition.

Closure Time

The Mentor and Mentee will know it's the right time to bring the relationship to closure when:

• Mentee has demonstrated mastery of the key responsibilities outlined in their job description
• Mentee is confidently and independently handling the day-to-day operations of the Texas ACE Program at their center without frequent guidance from the Mentor.
• The Mentee is proactively identifying areas for program enhancement and proposing solutions, demonstrating strategic thinking skills.
• Both parties feel that the initial learning goals established for the mentoring relationship have been substantially met.

Ground Rules and Conversation

Ground Rules for the Conversation:

• Commit to sharing honest reflections while maintaining mutual respect.
• Frame all discussions around learning and development rather than criticism.
• Use concrete examples from the Texas ACE Program to illustrate points and learnings.
• While reflecting on past experiences, maintain a focus on future application of learnings in program management.

Agenda for Learning Conclusion Conversation (4 key items):

• Discuss original learning objectives for the Site Coordinator
• Evaluate progress and key accomplishments in the Texas ACE Program
• Exchange constructive feedback on the mentoring experience
• Share key learnings and growth areas for both parties
• Explore Site Coordinator's next steps in managing the program
• Discuss strategies for continued success post-mentoring
• Define the nature of future interactions and support
• Formally close the mentoring relationship with mutual appreciation

Myself

What have I learned about myself?

I'm skilled at translating complex program requirements into actionable strategies and developing others' leadership abilities. I need to work on being more patient and providing more frequent informal feedback.

Gifts & Strengths

Ability to balance big-picture thinking with attention to details. Strong at guiding stakeholder relationship management and sharing expertise.

What can I make better?

Adapting my mentoring style to different learning preferences and fostering problem-solving skills rather than always providing solutions.

How Can I Apply It?

Enhance leadership of the Texas ACE Program by implementing structured feedback processes and encouraging peer-to-peer learning among Site Coordinators.

What Steps Come Next?

1. Create a mentoring guidebook for future Project Director-Site Coordinator relationships.
2. Implement monthly team reflection sessions.
3. Facilitate best practice sharing among Site Coordinators.
4. Improve program evaluation to capture mentoring impact on outcomes.

CLOSURE READINESS CHECKLIST