Mentor Coordinator Report
Program Overview
This year I maintained an average of 72 matches for the entire school year; the vast majority were multi-year relationships continuing. Ten matches met off-campus due to students being in Running Start. I made 5 new matches (3 freshman) and added 3 students to the waitlist who can hopefully be matched next fall. This year continued to stretch my limits as a coordinator in managing the logistics of so many matches meeting each week as well as supporting relationships with challenging situations. Three current mentors stepped up to take on second students to help reduce the waitlist. I had mentors with significant health challenges this year who missed several weeks, which was very hard on their students. I worked hard to schedule zoom meetings and phone calls in these situations for the students to keep the relationships going. I also visited and checked in with mentors to be sure they felt supported as well.
Seeing students grow:
Many mentees made huge strides this year in terms of academics, attendance, school engagement, and future planning. A large number of mentees participated in extra-curricular activities this year, including student government, clubs, FFA, HOSA, knowledge bowl, sports, band, and drama productions. Students enjoyed mentors who made attending their events a high priority. This year 25 students with mentors graduated, which is the largest group in program history. Within this group, 12 matches date back to middle school, and another 11 matches started in the student’s freshman year. Most of these pairs are already making plans to stay in touch after graduation as the students transition to college, work, and adulthood. Many mentors attended graduation and grad parties. Individual student stories (with media releases) will be shared over the next year in newsletters and other marketing materials by Partners for Schools.
Supporting students during challenges:
Mentors walked alongside students who experienced grief and difficult circumstances this year: the death of a parent, parents divorcing, on-going health issues, traumatic events, loss of housing, abuse, severe mental health challenges, pregnancy, difficulties with grades and relationships. Frequently, a mentor hears first about concerning situations and then can bring it forward to staff, allowing us to provide support and additional resources as needed. Many mentees express that their mentors help them deal with stress, school difficulties, peer conflicts, and other serious life issues. They appreciate that mentors provide a listening ear and “a safe space” for them to process things without feeling judged. Others value how mentors help them put things in perspective or see things from another point of view. Individual student stories (with media releases) will be shared over the next year in newsletters and other marketing materials by Partners for Schools.
Evaluation:
Program Evaluation includes individual interviews of students by Partners for Schools board members, which are recorded and then shared with me. In addition, I send an online survey to mentors and students to complete and give feedback. This year 54 students participated in individual personal interviews about their mentoring experiences. Those not interviewed were absent or meeting off campus during the interview week. Their recorded voices truly represent the power of mentoring. I love being able to hear student comments and share them with mentors; it’s my favorite thing all year! Many mentors tell me that the student interviews bring them to tears (happy ones) and they appreciate knowing they have made an impact. While this process is time consuming, I know it contributes to our high retention rate of mentors when they receive this prior to the end of the school year.
On-line Survey Results for Mentors:
- 66/67 mentors completed surveys (98%)
- 62/67 mentors plan to continue meeting with their student next year (this includes graduates). The mentors who are stepping away are doing so because of work commitments that make it hard for them to come each week, and one is having a baby.
- Our retention rate of continuing mentors is 92% All new mentors plan to continue next year.
Mentor Feedback and suggestions:
- Most are extremely satisfied with the program and level of coordinator support
- They love our meeting room, but want another designated space or a new high school!
- Some recommended we provide equipment for outdoor activities/games (frisbees, cornhole, badminton rackets and birdies, beach balls) to be used when we have nice weather
- Suggested Training topics for next year: social media, anxiety, and cross-cultural understanding were the most common responses. Other recommendations were drug/alcohol issues, grief, and recognizing signs of abuse
- Some wish we had another group event for mentors and students earlier in the year, as well our end of year celebration.
Mentor Quotes: Selected quotes provided as a separate document
On-line survey results for students
I did not emphasize surveys for graduating seniors, but focused on the underclassmen. Some seniors did the survey anyway, so I included their feedback in my mentor Thank You cards.
- 45/47 underclassmen completed the survey (95%)
- 43/45 surveyed want to continue with their mentor for sure next year (91% of total)
- Most students appreciate their mentors and don’t have suggestions for changing anything
- Very few had any specific suggestions.
- A handful would like more outdoor activities, more mentor meetings, or more opportunities to do things with mentors off campus.
- Students who use the text bridge want to continue with it over the summer
Student Quotes: Selected quotes provided as a separate document
Upcoming:
Looking ahead to 2026-27
Continued large number of matches with potentially 17 coming up from LMS
Will start the year with students on the waitlist that I hope to match in the fall
We will need to recruit more mentors to replace those that are not able to continue due to other commitments or continuing to support graduates of the program.
Even though we have one room, it will continue to be a challenge to schedule all matches and find meeting spaces. Not very many matches will be meeting off-campus and we have a huge incoming freshman class next year. It’s going to be crowded.
Mentors suggested some good training topics, so we will try to work these in for our Mentor Equipping sessions next year. I would particularly like to include drug and alcohol information and cross-cultural understanding
I would like to have more seasonal activities to offer during match meetings next year as well as more outdoor sports equipment
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – ReynoldsL@lynden.wednet.edu