How Today's Mentoring Relationships Can Influence Tomorrow's Physical Education

The purpose of this article is to describe effective functions that mentors can use to assist in both the personal and professional development of protégés. Mentors help their protégés in two primary areas: career development and psychosocial support. Career development functions are intended to advance the protégé's adjustments within the profession. Career development roles include: (1) patron, (2) coach, (3) protector, (4) challenger and (5) opportunity creator. Psychosocial support functions increase the protégé's self-identity, competence and affiliation with the school and profession. The psychosocial roles are: (1) friend, (2) role model, (3) counselor and (4) acceptor. Through effective mentoring, the current core of physical education teachers has the opportunity to leave a legacy guaranteeing quality physical education.