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July's Mentor of the Month
1. How did you become involved in mentoring through the Hillsborough Education Foundation?
When I moved to Tampa, I was looking for a way to get involved, so I researched a few opportunities that seemed interesting. I found out about HEF, went to an orientation, and was immediately sold on the idea of becoming a mentor. I loved the thought of helping someone on such a real, personal level, and I am really glad I made the decision to take part in the program.
2. What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring?
Every time we have our meetings I'm blown away with how introspective and intelligent Kevin is, and just getting to know him has been an incredible experience. It's also amazing to know that he appreciated spending time with me as well. A couple months ago, after a pretty eye-opening heart-to-heart we had during a meeting, he texted me to let me know how grateful he is that I am his mentor and how much he enjoys talking with me. That really meant a lot to me.
3. What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor?
Just being human. I want to be someone Kevin looks up to, but I also know that my advice is ultimately meaningless if we can't related on a personal level. We've developed a strong sense of mutual respect that goes a long way in fostering open communication. I certainly don't claim to know everything, but I do know that Kevin and I can figure it out together.
4.When you are not working with students, how do you prefer to spend your free time?
I enjoy playing guitar (Kevin does too, which is awesome), reading, listening to music, and getting outside (on those rare Florida days when it isn't unbearably hot and humid).
5. What do you hope your mentee will learn from you?
It sounds cliche, but I want Kevin to realize that he has enormous potential. He is a really smart kid who I know is capable of achieving great things. My hope is that I can help him learn that he can do just about anything he wants to do in life.
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With the summer officially upon us, and so many of our students graduated, we'd like to take the moment to stress the importance of what many mentees feel they don't have after they receive their diploma: choice. Choice, specifically, when it comes to their development after high school.
For a lot of youth, going to college seems like an obvious decision. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, a bachelor's degree accounted for an average of $16,900 in additional income per year compared to a standard high school diploma ($30,000 versus $46,9000).
Over a 30-year career in the workforce, that's more than a $500,000 difference in earnings.
These numbers, however, may not paint the whole picture. Due to the increasingly high costs associated with a college education, combined with interests pertaining to the individual student, more and more people have been considering
trade schools
as a viable
alternative to college when deciding their career.
What is a Trade School?
A trade school, also known as a technical or vocational school, is an institution that exists to teach skills related to a specific job. Trade school are a more streamlined approach to education, with each curriculum focused on developing a particular skill-set and knowledge base for a career rather than receiving a general education. Trade schools often take much less time to complete, have smaller class sizes, and the majority of the training is hands-on, which is ideal for many types of learners. Vocational degrees can lead to well-paying fields, such as mechanic, machinist, pharmacy technician, dental hygienist, etc.
What are its advantages?
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, technical and trade school jobs have a median salary of $35,720, though this figure varies heavily based on the particular industry and the experience of the worker. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted earnings for bachelor's degree holders to be roughly $46,900, amounting to an annual difference of $11,180. This stat, though, doesn't factor in long term earnings growth. However, because trade school only takes an average of two years to complete versus the four that a bachelor's degree would require, that amounts to an additional two years of income for the trade school graduates.
Worth mentioning is the much lower price of education. The average trade school degree costs $33,000, compared to an average of $127,000 for a bachelor's degree.
Also, there is a sense of job security when it comes to obtaining a job after attending a technical trade school, as they are difficult to be outsourced or require a physical presence, be it in carpentry, electrical work, or nursing.
Most importantly, we return to the concept of choice for our students; we at Take Stock in Children believe the best way to rid oneself of the cycle of poverty is through a post-secondary education--and that does not always mean following the "traditional" college path.
Especially if you notice during your sessions that your student leans towards working with their hands or expresses interest in a career you know doesn't require a four+ year degree, consider having a conversation with them concerning the more than viable trade school alternative.
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Upcoming Events
TSIC Shopping Day
 
Annually, the Hillsborough Education Foundation's Teaching Tools Store offers a day for our Take Stock in Children recipients to shop for free school supplies. 2017's Shopping Day happens to fall on Saturday,
the 22nd of July
.
If you'd like to volunteer while your mentee shops, there are volunteer hours available spread out in the form form of two shifts. The first runs from
8:30 am
to 12:30 pm and the second
runs from
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. If interested, to sign up for the first shift, click here. To register for the second shift click here.
Volunteers will help
in running the check-out stations, stocking the shelves, or various
other items that may require aid.
We hope to see you there!
Interactive Art @ Tampa Museum of Art
The Hillsborough Education Foundation has joined together with the Tampa Museum of Art to put together an interactive art event for mentors and mentees on Saturday, the 5th of August from 10:30 am-2:30 pm! The day is designed for mentor-student pairs to work together to create their own masterpiece. It will include a guided tour of the museum, facilitated activities and a chance to hang out with your student over the summer. This is a
FREE
event. Pizza will be provided by HEF; transportation, however, will not be. Students and mentors must be at the Tampa Museum of Art (120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602) no later than 10 am. As this event is designed for mentors and mentees to work together, preference will be given to signed up-pairs, so please communication with your scholar to make certain they can make it. If interested, simply click here to sign up.
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Mark Your Calendar!
| Shopping Day |
July 22 |
HEF |
| TSIC Volunteer Day |
July 27 |
HEF |
Interactive Art @TMoA
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August 5
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HEF
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| First Day of School |
August 10 |
HCPS |
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Don't forget to keep in touch with your scholar over the summer months!
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If you know someone who is interested in mentoring,
have them visit our website for more information:
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www.educationfoundation.com
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Teddy Marcelo Anna Laird Julia Carter William Dailey
