Role of the Mentors

There is a flattened power dynamic in a self-directed environment, which can be very different from the mainstream school model of information/power coming from the top down. Mentors in the space work to create an environment where the youth feel their voice is equal, if not more. Some may hesitate at the idea of a young person having more power than adults. Still, a democratic centre’s overarching goals are for youth to be empowered to take ownership of the centre and its day-to-day functions. The mentor’s role is to hold “space” for the youth to step into being active members of the community. 

 Taking ownership does not mean our space is a free-for-all, and everyone is permitted to do and say what they want - it’s quite the opposite. In the book, “Learning is Natural, School is optional,” Kenneth Danford, who operates the North Star Self-Directed Learning Centre in Massachusetts, wrote that they guide their youth by saying, “You can’t behave in a way that makes someone else not want to be here.” So within that framework and the framework of inclusivity, youth at Passages can bring up process changes to the community meetings and advocate for their needs within the centre. 

 An example of this is that we’ve had a loose schedule over these last few months. We hadn’t yet felt a need to have things set in stone until recently somebody asked if we can create a more concrete schedule for planning purposes. This was brought up and discussed at the community meeting, and everyone agreed to nail down specific times for activities. Now we have the beginnings of a schedule/calendar. 

 Another example is we are planning to go out in the city one afternoon a week. The youth had been suggesting places to visit when a discussion arose of how to choose excursions reasonably. Some people didn’t like the suggested activities but still wanted to be a part of the group, however, because we only have one staff for this year the centre is closed while we’re out. The discussion went around for a while with myself sitting back and working as the note-taker, and the group landed on the idea to create a list of their names and take turns choosing from the suggested activity list. There was an amendment put forward that everyone needs to make an effort to go on others’ excursions, and you can only miss a few - it’s not acceptable to only show up for your own choice. 

 And that there is the unfolding of an agreement amongst the youth that incorporates fairness, compassion, accountability and listening. 

What did the adult (myself) do, though? It takes skill to step back every day and allow the space to vary based on moods and dynamics. It takes understanding to create a space where the youth feel they can safely express their feelings. And most importantly, it takes putting your adult ego aside when your suggestions are entirely swept away, and the youth come up with a better way of doing things! There’s no room for adult egos interfering within a democratic space. 

One of the main roles though is making sure we lead with compassion and understanding. We try to see things from other perspectives, and we listen, and we listen, and we listen.