Building on the last book of wisdom, I thought my job as a Writing Mentor was to "fix" work. I was a very product-focused, harsh grader-esque mentor. 🫢 Now, of course, I didn't expect to be perfect right from the get-go, but what I came to realize was that mentoring isn't about editing and policing; it's about empowering. 

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That shift hit me hardest during our self-reflection work during the Digital Literacy Narrative. Looking back, I saw how much literacy shaped my relationships, the impact of a success-demanding environment, and how my approach to success needs to change their offensive formation. I realized that my most impactful feedback never came from someone pointing out what was wrong; it was when someone sat me down and worked with me to build on my abilities. 

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Leaning into that, I noticed how students responded. Although not everyone reacts explicitly, students demonstrate their intent through their work. They felt seen and supported, and that is what I aim to establish. 

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As a Writing Mentor, my core principles are rooted in trust, empathy, and presence. I offer constructive feedback now through the lens of possibility rather than conforming. I want students to read my feedback/leave interactions, see their strengths, see their writing voice in action, and feel more confident, not confused. That's the kind of mentor I'm becoming, and that's what I want to work toward.