Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
Wow! October already? This month has literally flown by. I continue to meet and pair the most amazing students and mentors. I love my job! One of the best parts of my day is seeing the growth that students are able to make through mentoring. I have one matched pair that started by playing ultimate frisbee together over a year ago. Since then, the mentor has seen a lot of personal growth and maturity in his mentee. He commented that now they actually spend alot of that time talking as well, rather than just tossing the frisbee back and forth. We also both noticed that the student seems more respectful, happier and has let his hard edges soften to the adults around him. One of their teachers shared that he has also noticed the positive changes. It is great to see.
I have also matched several new mentors and mentees since school started. One student approached me at lunch a few weeks ago and told me she wasn’t sure her match was a good fit. When I asked her why, she said that they hadn’t really “gone deep” yet. I reminded her that they had only met a couple of times, that relationships take time. I also challenged her to take a risk and be honest with her mentor about wanting to do more than just play games together when they met. After their next meeting, I checked in with both of them and found they had indeed “gone deeper” in their conversation and talked about some things that were weighing heavily on the student. This was such a moment of growth in the relationship, and the mentor felt honored to be trusted in this way.
Part of the challenge of the first few months at Lynden Middle School is increasing the number of matches. At the middle school, it is a constant flow of new 6th grade students learning about the program and 8th graders moving on with their mentors to Lynden High School. None of these new matches are possible without new volunteers coming into the program as mentors. We had a full classroom at our last New Mentor Orientation and I have already been able to make two new matches here from that class. Thank you, new mentors!
As I sit at my desk typing this report, staff members are coming into my office to vote on their choice of winners in our pumpkin decorating contest. Mentors and mentees got to decorate mini pumpkins and I will be giving out certificates and prizes to the winners. It is a fun activity for them to do together. Thank you to Stoney Ridge Farm for donating the pumpkins!
We are also offering Be The One merchandise to students and their mentors, they often order matching gear to wear. Staff also have an opportunity to order something for supporting our program.
Highlights:
• 6 new matches made this month
• Completion of our second New Mentor Orientation
• Pumpkin Decorating Contest and judging
• New Be The One merchandise for mentoring pairs and supporters
• First match of a 6th grade student!
Upcoming:
• Mentor Equipping sessions with Jake Leland November 16 and 17
• New Mentor Orientation November 9 at LMS
• Be The One Merch orders will be delivered
• No school Veteran’s Day November 11 or November 13
• Thanksgiving Break November 26-29
• Fall Band Concert November 17 6:00 and 7:30pm LMS
Number of Current Matches: 21
Submitted by Tara Bowler – bowlert@lynden.wednet.edu