Mentors and Coaches

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As a mentor or coach of a FIRST® team, you empower students to be future gamechangers. You're working side by side with FIRST participants to build their leadership and problem-solving skills and, more importantly, their sense of belonging and self-confidence. Your contribution to the success of FIRST programs is immeasurable.

Build up the next generation of innovators as a FIRST mentor or coach.

As a mentor or coach you can:

  • Teach others what you know
  • Be inspired by the students
  • Give back to your community
  • Build your own skills and resume

Who are FIRST mentors and coaches?

  • People from all backgrounds and disciplines who share their knowledge, whether it is technical or non-technical
  • Someone who contributes on a weekly basis facilitating team meetings, helping the team set realistic goals and coordinate their work OR someone who supports the team with subject matter expertise on an as needed basis including assisting the team with topics such as programming questions, building skills, scholarships, business management, marketing, or fundraising
  • An adviser who helps foster Gracious Professionalism® and FIRST Core Values in the students

NEW! The FIRST Mentor Network

From finding their people to finding their path, mentors help students gain the skills and confidence to forge ahead and build their future with FIRST.  And now, more than ever, we need to empower and foster the next generation of innovators to feel hopeful and build a better future. The FIRST Mentor Network is an interactive platform allowing mentors to find FIRST teams to work with virtually or face to face, locally or across the country, for a few hours or for a season. Learn more and create your mentor profile today!

Explore the FIRST Mentor Network

 

Helpful FIRST Mentor Network links:

FIRST Mentor Network FAQ - answers Frequently Asked Questions for FIRST Mentor Network users

FIRST Mentor Network Online Safety - guidance from the Youth Protection Program on online safety for the FIRST Mentor Network

Virtual Mentor Presentation Guide - ideas and examples of how to present information virtually to a group

Remote Mentoring with FIRST- Remote Mentoring with FIRST is a brief simulation training that explores the fundamentals of remote meetings for mentors and coaches. 

 

Ready to be a FIRST Mentor or Coach?

As a mentor or coach of a FIRST team there is a lot to know about how to get started with your team as well as how to prepare yourself to be an effective FIRST volunteer. “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Research has proven that checklists can help improve processes and eliminate mistakes.

Check out the FIRST Mentor/Coach Checklist to guide you through your journey as a volunteer mentoring or coaching a FIRST team.

 

Questions or comments? volunteer@firstinspires.org