School-Based Mentoring

  
Matches students in grades K through 12 with adult volunteers who provide students with support, friendship and positive examples.

  • A mentor will be matched with a student.

  • The mentor and mentee will work together once a week for 30 - 45 minutes throughout the school year. 

  • Mentors usually stay with the same student year after year, as long as there is a need.

  • Mentor visits take place at the school only.

  • A mentor will commit to one year of mentoring.

                 Mentoring Makes a Difference To a Child!

An orientation and brief training session will be arranged before the mentor begins working with the student. Training will include:

¨    Definition of program goals

¨    Definition of mentor roles & responsibilities

¨    Dealing with diversity

¨    Using conflict resolution

¨    Characteristics of children and adolescents

¨    Setting up plan of activities

¨    Substance Abuse Awareness

Throughout the school year, the Coordinator will be available to answer questions, provide feedback, or assist the mentor in any way. Monthly support groups / training sessions are available for all mentors to attend.


Mentoring Program Goals and Philosophy

Many students greatly benefit by being matched with an adult in a mentoring relationship. The goals are to improve student:
      * Attendance
      * Sense of connection to school and community
      * Self-concept / self-esteem
      * Substance abuse resistance skill
      * Career awareness


                                               The Mentor 's Role

The Mentoring Program is school-­based; all activities take place at school during the school day. As a mentor, you will travel to school to visit with your student. Suggested activities may include reading aloud, sharing information about your job, visits to the school library, playing games or just talking to each other. The mentors are not expected to be teachers, but they should be positive role models who provide a one-on-­one supportive relationship.

                               The Mentor's Responsibilities

·        Coach

·        Friend

·        Goal setting advisor

·         Listener

·        Role model

·        Self-concept builder

·        Sharer of knowledge & skills

·        Tutor

·        Asset builder




A mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provides young people with support; counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there.

—National Mentoring Partnership

A study conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in association with the UPS Foundation, clearly demonstrated that school mentors have a positive effect on children. According to the teachers who referred the students in the study:

·        64% of students developed a more positive attitude toward school.

·        58% achieved higher grades in social studies, languages, and math.

·        60% improved relationships with adults, and 56% improved relation­ships with peers.

·        55% were better able to express their feelings.

·        64% developed higher levels of self­-confidence.

·        62% were more likely to trust their teachers.

— from School-Based Mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America




"Mentors can make a world of difference to Iowa children, ensuring they have the skill and support necessary to lead safe, healthy and productive lives."

- Lt. Governor Sally Pederson



For more information, contact:

Margaret J. Wozniak
Mentoring Coordinator
for Burlington, West Burlington,
and Danville Schools

 

(319) 752-4000 Ext. 250

 

Young House

Family Services

724 North 3rd Street

Burlington, IA 52601

e-mail Margaret J. Wozniak




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