How mentorship flows in both directions
Mentorship is rarely one-directional.
I was reminded of this recently while reading an article by my friend and mentee, Mikaela Smith.
Mikaela is currently serving with the Peace Corps on the North Bank of The Gambia, where she lives and works in agriculture alongside the local community. In her piece for The Concord Bridge, she reflects on her experience with a level of curiosity and thoughtfulness that stayed with me long after I finished reading.
I've had the privilege of knowing Mikaela since her university days. Across years of conversations, she has always approached the world with a genuine interest in people. Her article captures this beautifully: the steady growth, the moments of discomfort, the willingness to learn, and the deep respect for community that only comes from listening first.
One detail in the article especially resonated with me. Mikaela credits her high school earth science teacher, Peter Nichol, as an important influence on her path.
As the son of two lifelong educators, both of whom taught for 43 years, I have seen firsthand the impact great teachers can have. They don't always know where their influence will lead, but years later it shows up in remarkable ways.
Reading Mikaela's reflections, I found myself learning alongside her.
Mikaela, thank you for sharing your story and your experiences so openly. I'm proud of the work you're doing and grateful for what you're teaching the rest of us through it.
Mikaela’s article is well worth the read:
“From Concord Roots to Sowing Agrarian Vitality in The Gambia”
