Teacher vs. Mentor – similarities and differences

The role of Mentor/Mentee is often compared to other development and knowledge transfer functions. We have previously blogged about comparing the Mentor to the role of Coach. Another role also compared in common parlance is that of a teacher – often compared to Mentor and even used interchangeably. In this article, we will look at this comparison. We will examine how many similarities and differences there actually are between the two roles. 

Definition of mentoring 

For any such comparison, it is worth revisiting the definition of mentoring and what the role of a mentor is according to that definition. 

According to the EMCC mentoring and coaching organization, mentoring is “a cognitive relationship involving the sharing of skills, knowledge and expertise between mentor and mentee through developmental conversations, experience sharing and role modeling. The relationship can encompass many different contexts and is an inclusive two-way partnership for mutual learning, valuing differences.” 

In this definition, it is worth noting first of all the individual character of the mentoring relationship, the different techniques for sharing knowledge and the fact that development occurs in practice in two ways. 

Reflecting on the comparison of Mentor to Teacher, one can also refer to the list of roles defined for the former. These are: 

• Accompaniment

• Support

• Active listening

• Asking questions

• Analyzing and drawing conclusions

• Sharing your knowledge and experience

And now based on these areas and the role represented by Teachers, we can reflect on the differences and similarities of the two roles. 

Mentor vs. teacher – differences 

Below we have collected some areas where the differences between the two roles are most apparent.  

Accompanying Role of Mentor 

The first difference is that the Mentor’s role is related not so much to the transfer of knowledge itself, but more to accompanying and supporting the Mentee during his/her self-development. The role of the teacher, on the other hand, is to impart knowledge and implement the exercises according to the path laid out. 

Coaching techniques and tools 

In connection with the aforementioned role, the Mentor makes extensive use of coaching and mentoring techniques that activate self-development. These include coaching questions, in-depth response techniques, paraphrasing, giving feedback. Only later comes the element of sharing one’s own knowledge and experience. The teacher, on the other hand, starts right away with imparting knowledge, and any additional techniques are used second. 

Assist in defining goals 

Also related to this is a third difference – in mentoring, one of the important outcomes of the process is helping the Mentee define their goals and development path. Mentee taking part in a mentoring program usually has a very vague idea of their needs, which are only deepened and defined together with the Mentor during the first sessions.  

Rather, in the case of the role of a teacher, each process has predetermined goals to be achieved. 

Differences in progress evaluation 

The teacher evaluates progress usually using predefined tests, exercises or practical projects for implementation. In the case of mentoring, progress evaluation is done together during the middle and final mentoring session. The pair jointly assesses the extent to which the Mentee has achieved his or her goals and what his or her next development path might be. 

Relationship 1 to 1 

And don’t forget the basic idea of mentoring, which is a one-to-one relationship. A mentor has only one Mentee during a session, while a teacher has many students. 

Mentoring as a side activity 

Another important difference is that the work of a Mentor is usually carried out as an additional activity carried out in mentoring programs in a company or other organization, carried out in addition to working as a full-time employee or running a company. The teaching role is usually the main activity. 

Knowledge flow both ways 

Well, and finally, let’s remember that mentoring is, by definition, a relationship in which both parties learn. Mentors often benefit from mentoring as much as Mentees often by broadening their perspective, learning a new generation’s point of view or simply improving their leadership skills. 

The teacher, too, of course, can develop on an ongoing basis, but this is not the basis of his relationship with his students. 

Teacher vs. mentor – similarities 

However, in addition to the aforementioned differences between Mentor and Teacher, there are several similarities. 

Development of the mentee 

Perhaps the most obvious is the main goal of both types of activities, which is the development of the mentee. Both Mentee and trainee benefit from the processes by developing their skills and expanding their knowledge. 

Knowledge transfer 

In both cases, there is also a certain flow of knowledge from the more experienced person to the less. Both the teacher and Mentor build on their own knowledge and transfer some of it to the person being developed. 

Providing feedback 

In both cases, an important part of training is working with feedback. For the Mentor, this is one of the key tools in addition to asking questions and observation. A good teacher should also give constructive feedback by reviewing the student’s work. 

Homework 

Finally, in both mentoring and teaching there is an element of homework – tasks completed between sessions. In mentoring, the work tends to be practical – trying out the solutions discussed often on the job and then discussing them in the next session. 

Summary 

In conclusion, although the words teacher and mentor are often used interchangeably in everyday speech, there are important differences between the two roles. 

The teacher imparts knowledge and skills, while the mentor provides guidance and support. The teacher’s role is primarily instructional, while the mentor’s role is more holistic and long-term. 

The primary role of a teacher is to teach and impart knowledge, usually in a formal setting such as a classroom, while a mentor provides guidance and support, often in a more personal and long-term relationship. Teachers focus on imparting specific information and skills, while mentors offer a broader range of support, including career and personal development. 

See also: 

Tutoring or mentoring in education 

Tutoring is a program consisting of several individual meetings/sessions where the tutor passes on his knowledge and experience to the tutee. The idea of tutoring is very similar to mentoring, with only one difference. Mentoring is based primarily on the Mentee’s self-discovery and self-education, and the Mentor merely guides the Mentee through the process ultimately sharing his knowledge. Tutoring is more based on the actual transfer of knowledge. The tutor assumes the role of a teacher and should have completed a tutoring course.  

Besides, in many aspects mentoring and tutoring are similar and based on the same mechanisms. 

Read more in the article: “Types of mentoring for students” 

Mentor&nbsp Key Competencies;

Anyone who wants to become a Mentor should consider whether he or she has the qualities and competencies necessary to fulfill this role. 

Among the features to note are:  

• Willingness to help others

• Availability

• Motivation

• Knowledge and experience

On the other hand, among the Mentor’s key competencies we can distinguish:  

• The ability to set goals for themselves and others,

• Providing constructive feedback,

• communication skills,

• active listening,

• asking questions.

See more in the article “Who is a Mentor – definition, competencies, role and responsibilities”