 |
|
|
|
|
 
|
February's Mentor of the Month
1. How did you become involved in mentoring through the Hillsborough Education Foundation?
The way that I became involved in this mentoring program was by searching for volunteering opportunities in Tampa via Google. I am a huge advocate of education and I had been wanting to get more involved in the community, so I decided to do some research. I actually studied Secondary Education in college, as I wanted to be a high school Spanish teacher, but I was not able to complete my studies to become a certified teacher. My mother instilled in me the importance of education, and how, the more I learn, the more opportunities I will have to succeed. This remains true today. I wanted to find a way to pass on the lesson, so I reached out to the Hillsborough Education Foundation and became very excited when I received a response.
2. What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring?
I would have to say that the most rewarding part of mentoring has been getting to know Amanda and being able to influence her educational decisions somehow. She is a very intelligent young woman and has a very bright future ahead of her. She has goals that she wants to achieve and I am very confident that she will work hard to reach them.
3. What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor?
This is the first time that I mentor a student, so I can't quite say that I have the key to being a quality mentor, but hopefully, I am doing something right. I believe that listening is a very big part of being a quality mentor. When I meet with Amanda, I mostly let her talk, whether it's about school, work, family, friends, etc. I provide my two cents here and there and try to share my life experiences with her, so she knows where I come from, where I've been, and where I want to go.
4.When you are not working with students, how do you prefer to spend your free time?
Amanda is the only student I mentor, as I work full-time for a marketing company. I use my lunch break once a week to meet up with her. I wish I could do more. Besides work, I use the rest of my free time to be with my family and friends, and I try to visit new places outside of the state or the country as often as I can. I have traveled to many cities within the U.S. and I've also gone to Ireland, Spain, and Portugal, so far.
5. What do you hope your mentee will learn from you?
I hope that Amanda learns that growth is a process. I try to remind her that there is no need to rush and that success is achieved and will last longer when you take your time to learn, not just through formal/college education, but through life itself. I encourage her to travel and to interact with people from other parts of the world, from other socioeconomic backgrounds, other cultures, other ethnicities, etc. I grew up in a low income household, but through my mother's example of hard work and her drive to have more and be more, I aimed for success. I have shared many stories with her, so that she sees that it doesn't matter where you come from, if you really want something, you can go out and get it. Her success depends on her and how much effort she decides to put into it, and she knows it, so I have all the faith in the world that she will do great.
|
|
The Pew Research Group reports a deeper ideological divide at present than at any point in the prior two decades. These divisions stem from an America grappling with its identity, wondering whether a return to days gone by are necessary to revisit a glory now gone, or if its best days are still ahead, with an eye towards existing as citizens of the world as opposed to a single nation. Regardless of position, those from both sides of the proverbial aisle can learn from research of mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and youth, often people interested in building lasting bonds, but coming from different culture, economic backgrounds.
Mentoring creates relationships that bridge differences, crossings built across all states and many sectors; these bridges create change. Youth who participate in these programs demonstrate a reduction in risk-taking behavior and depressive symptoms. Across the spectrum, mentorship programs can not only provide role models to imitate but can also benefit the young person with a decreased negative health symptoms and improved relationship skills.
Such bridges are not always so simple to build, even for the most committed adults, but when these relationships go well, research encourages mentors to assume a hybrid role, offering friendship and counsel. Strong mentors attune to their young person, often reading what the mentee is trying to say, even if they are saying it non-verbally. Attunement also requires regulating oneself and adapting if necessary in order to see the perspective of another.
These skills, though not easy, prove teachable. Youth development professionals report increased listening skills, increased empathy, and decreased reactivity following exposure and practice.
To be sure, many of us may find attuning ourselves to others whom are different than ourselves to be difficult or even unnatural. This is in part due to values that we hold dear and central to our identities. Connecting with people across these "value lines" can be threatening, and to some may feel like a compromise of character.
Crossing these lines, however, pays off, both at the individual and societal level. Attunement is not only important to helping relationships; it is also critical to public discourse and well-being. Connecting with people of difference can help build empathy and understanding, which is associated with increased happiness and sense of fulfillment.
None of us are attuned to others in every interaction. None of us are immune to the desire to comfort ourselves, at least temporarily, with prioritizing ourselves by the specific gravitation towards people whom are similar to us, even at the expense of excluding others. When it comes to certain matters of value, it may very well be that you and your mentee differ on policy ideas, but it is important that a huge topic of discussion is not immediately tabled because of possible disagreement; the need to be open to others with difference has possibly never been so vital.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Please join your mentees on Thursday, the 27th of April for our annual Mentor Appreciation Party at the Citi Center from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It will be a fun-filled night of games, giveaways, and time with your students away from the school atmosphere. For newer mentors, this is often a chance to meet your students parents or guardians! A light dinner will be served. RSVP by clicking here or you can send an email to Julia Carter. (Limit one guest per RSVP as spacing is limited.)
|
|
Meet your Mentor Coordinator
Anna Laird
This month sees the introduction of the newest member of your Take Stock College Success Team: Anna Laird. She will be taking over as Mentor Coordinator, and, as such, will be striving to help bring our program to the next level.
What follows is a brief glimpse into the character of your Mentor Coordinator:
Anna was born raised in the Tampa Bay Area. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in International Studies. After graduation, Anna's passion for serving others led her to join the United States Peace Corps. She lived in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia for two years working as an English teacher. One of Anna's favorite things about working as a teacher was the personal connection she made with her students, many of whom she is still in touch with. Anna recently graduated from Arizona State University with a M.S. in Global Technology & Development in December of last year. Anna is thrilled to be joining the Take Stock In Children team and looks forward to building relationships with the students and mentors in the TSIC program. She resides in St. Petersburg , and is currently very much in the market for a seasoned, on-the-heftier-side cat.
|
Mark Your Calendar!
| End of Spring Break |
March 20 |
HCPS |
| Non-Student Day |
April 14 |
HCPS |
| Mentor Appreciation Party |
April 27 |
HEF |
| Last Day of School |
May 26 |
HCPS |
|
If you know someone who is interested in mentoring,
have them visit our website for more information:
|
www.educationfoundation.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teddy Marcelo Anna Laird Julia Carter William Dailey
