A protégé is an empowered individual seeking the skills, abilities and attitude to move successfully forward in their career to affect change for Latino students in California and the nation. This person is determined to be as strong and prepared as possible for every career challenge and is active in seeking advice and perspective from others.

A mentor is an experienced educator and leader who is willing and able to provide compassionate assistance to guide and empower a protégé to achieve their stated professional goals in education through passion, persistence and integrity.

Compassionate assistance is a combination of passion, persistence and integrity which guides mentors in the manner by which they provide support to each protégé. Through this mutual empowerment the mentoring pair develops more as educational professionals who purposefully commit to increase Latino student achievement and eliminate the achievement gap for all students.

The mentoring relationship is confidential. The protégé must be supported and current perspectives challenged, but protégés are required to find their own answers. Mentors seek to build confidence and independence by active listening, sharing perspective, and providing alternatives. Protégés must take full responsibility for their professional growth and career development to reach the next stage of their career.