a. Internet websites

There are numerous websites available on mentoring that provide a variety of information and resources. Please see the list below that includes websites you may find helpful. The name of the website and a website and a short description of each follows. Click on the website logo under each website description to go directly to that website.

Mentor - A national educational organization for adults who mentor children and organizations who sponsor adult-child mentoring programs. Includes many resources for mentors and setting up mentoring programs. Connects to the mentoring initiatives of 26 of the United States.

The Mentoring Leadership and Resource Network – a network of the ASCD that provides support for mentoring programs of K-12 schools and university education programs. Includes a membership discussion area and links to articles on mentoring.

Mentors Forum - A website in the United Kingdom that provides information, case studies, resources, services, and research about business-related mentoring. Includes The Forum, an online networking opportunity. Connects to other mentoring avenues in United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and Candana.

MentorNet® - An ementoring network for women in engineering and science. Includes discussion forum, list of resources, and mentoring matching for women in engineering and science.

The Mentoring Group – A San Francisco-based non-profit group that offers worldwide business mentoring services including consultation, training, assessment, research, and publications. Lists the University of California, AT & T, and Proctor and Gamble among its clients.

b. Short reads

These easy to read articles are easily accessible resources that provide a good place to start your reading on mentoring. Listed in chronological order with the most recent article appearing first, the following resources offer general information on mentoring.

Urish, C. (2004). Ongoing competence through mentoring. OT Practice, 9(3), 10.

Robertson, S. C., & Savio, M. C. (2003). Mentoring as professional development. OT Practice 8(21), 12-16.

Joe, B. E. (1998). Lighting the path to success. OT Week, 12(40), 14.

Javernick, J. A. (1994). Professional growth through mentoring. OT Week, 8(24), 16-17.

Smith, B. C. (1992). Mentoring: The key to professional growth. OT Practice, 3(3), 21-28.

c. Books and book chapters

Many books and book chapters have been written on mentoring. This list is just a start and ordered chronologically with the most recent listed first. Please note the very first one on the list may serve for many as a handy and quick reference!

Brounstein, M. (2000).Coaching and mentoring for dummies: A reference for the rest of us. New York: Wiley Publishing.

Daloz, L. A. (1999). Mentor: Guiding the journey of adult learners (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Shea, G. F. (1997). Mentoring: A practical guide (2nd ed.). Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications.

Cohen, N. H. (1995). Mentoring adult learners: A guide for educators and trainers. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing.

Daloz, L. A. P., & Edelson, P. J. (1992). Leadership and staff development: A mentorship model. In P. J. Edelson (Ed.), Rethinking leadership in adult and continuing education (pp. 29-37). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

d. Journal articles and Journal

Many journal articles have been written on mentoring. They may take a little longer to read but are well worth the while. The titles give you a preview of the contents of the articles. The following list includes selections from the occupational therapy literature as well as related fields, e.g., nursing, education, psychology. Journal articles are ordered alphabetically by author. There is also a journal devoted to mentoring and tutoring. It is published in the United Kingdom and can be accessed on line. Go to tandf.co.uk/journals to view online copies of the journal entitled Mentoring and Tutoring.

Andersen, L. T. (2001). Occupational therapy practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of continuing education activities on continuing competency. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(4), 449-454.

Hartley, M. (2003). Tell us about the gifts. RDH, 23(5), 8.

Marrelli, T. M. (2004). Management update: Why mentoring is important. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 16(2), 122-123.

Mullen, C. A., & Kealy, W. A. (2000). This issue: New visions of mentoring. Theory into Practice, 39(1), 2-3.

Paul, S., Stein, F., Ottenbacher, & K. J., Liu, Y. (2002). The role of mentoring on research productivity among occupational therapy faculty. Occupational Therapy International, 9(1), 24-40.

Ragins, B. R., & Cotton, J. (1999). Mentor functions and outcomes: A comparison of men and women in formal and informal mentoring relationships. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84(4), 529-550.

Ragins, B. R., & Scandura, T. A. (1999). Burden or blessing? Expected costs and benefits of being a mentor. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20, 493- 509.

Rogers, J. C. (1982). Sponsorship: Developing leaders for occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36(5), 309-313.

Rogers, J. C. (1986). Nationally speaking: Mentoring for career achievement and advancement. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 40(2), 79-82.

Scheerer, Carol R. (2007). Mentoring in Occupational Therapy: One State's Status. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, Volume 21, Number 3, 19 July 2007 , pp. 17-33(17).

Schemm, R. L., & Bross, T. (1995). Mentorship experiences in a group of occupational therapy leaders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49(1), 32-37.

Vassantachart, D. S. M., & Rice G. T. (1997). Academic integration of occupational therapy faculty: A survey. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(7), 584-588.

e. Examples of mentoring programs

There are several examples of mentoring programs in the literature some of which have been initiated in clinical settings and some in educational settings. Read these journal articles to help you develop a mentoring program in your practice setting. Please note the last one describes the online Australian mentoring program called MentorLink Allied Health available to occupational therapists, physical therapists, podiatrists, social workers, and speech pathologists in Australia. Click on the website address or the MentorLink Allied Health Logo to go directly to the website.

Froehlich, J. (1994). A mentoring program: Learning from experience. Education Special Interest Section Newsletter, 4(2), 1-2.

Horgan, D. D. (1992). Multiple mentoring: All of the gain; none of the pain. Performance and Instruction, 31(6), 20-22.

Nolinske, T. (1994). Multiple mentoring relationships facilitate learning during fieldwork. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49(1), 39-43.

Kolodner, E. L., & Hischmann, C. L. (1997). Mentors and protégés: Partners for professional development. Administration & Management Special Interest Section Quarterly, 13(3), 1-4.

Wilding, C., & Marais-Strydom, E. (2002). MentorLink: An Australian example of continuing professional development through mentoring. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 224-226.

MentorLink Allied Health: www.mentorlinklounge.com    

f. Stories of occupational therapy mentors

Several articles have been written that describe individual occupational therapists who have been identified as mentors. These readings are listed first (listed under MENTORS). Additionally, numerous occupational therapists have shared how their career was formed by being mentored. Their stories are compiled in the last reference (listed under MENTEES); unfortunately, this reference is out of print, but ask around, you may find an old copy in your department or office. I believe you will find these readings refreshing and even inspirational. Read on!

Cummings, Genevieve: Dillon, T. H. (2001). Authenticity in occupational therapy leadership: A case study of a servant leader. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(4), 441-448. Reproduced by permission of Tom Dillion (4-05)

Llorens, Lela: Walker, J. E. (1991). Lela Llorens: Role model, friend, mentor. OT Week, 5(5), 10-11. Reproduced by permission of the American Occupational Therapy Association. (3-05)

Riley, Geraldine: Berg, J. (1997). Eye on the profession: AOTA: Black history month profile: Geraldine Riley, clinician and mentor. OT Week, 11(9), 9, 12. Reproduced by permission of the American Occupational Therapy Association. (3-05)

Scardina, Virginia (Ginny): Scheerer, C. R., Drumheller, C. L., & Mehbod-Owens, S. L. (2004). A model mentor: Virginia Scardina, MA, MEd, OTR/L, FAOTA. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 18(3), 65-80. Reproduced by permission of V. Scardina (4-05)

MENTEES:

Blechert, Tone Frank
Brown, Ilenna
Cox, Betty
Cromwell, Florence S.
Devereaux, E.
Forte, Barbara
Fine, Susan
Gilfolyle, Elnora
Jones, Robin A.
Llorens, Llela
Ryan, Sally E.

Robertson, S. (1992). How to find a mentor or be one. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association

The website information was developed by Carol R. Scheerer, Ed.D., OTR/L, 2005.

Dr. Scheerer received a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from Indiana University in 1979, Master and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Cincinnati in 1991 and 2001, respectively. She has 18 years experience in school-based practice and is certified in the Test Administration and Interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. In 2001, Dr. Scheerer was recipient of the OOTA Continuing Education Award of Merit and co-recipient of the OOTA Model Practice Award; in 2003 she was the recipient of the OOTA Virginia Scardina Lectureship Award. She is an author of several journal articles on topics such as the OT/OTA educational partnership, professional behavior, and mentoring; and single author of one book: Sensorimotor Groups: Activities for School and Home and co-author of another book: Clinical Competencies for Occupational Therapy. Dr. Scheerer currently serves as Associate Professor and Department Chairperson in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH.