Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
Pumpkins, pumpkins, and gourds, oh my! Mentors and Students unleashed their inner child this month while decorating mini pumpkins together during their weekly meeting time. Creativity, imagination, and some basic supplies transformed mini pumpkins and gourds into aliens, divas, the Lorax, Minions, Harry Potter, a bunny, Yoda, the Grinch, and The United States of America, along with some gory zombie faces and cute, happy ones. We started this annual activity in 2023 and matches who have been around for a while look forward to the tradition, telling me “It’s my favorite week of the year!” We had a little contest going on for the best designs, and also took the time to thank those who generously donated their time and pumpkins to make this activity possible (Mary Lou Childs, Stoney Ridge Farms, Savannah Demery, and Annette John—Thank you so much!)
Worth the wait: A high school student signed up for a mentor in 2023, but specifically asked me to find someone who shared her cultural background as high on her priority list. I let her know it could be challenging, but I would certainly try. Several times I checked in with her to let her know I had other mentors available, but no one that met her specific request. Each time, she let me know that she would prefer to continue to wait for the right match. This fall, almost 2 years later, I had a new mentor at orientation who I thought had potential. The student was anxious to meet her, and they felt comfortable with each other right away. When I talked with the student about the match and apologized for the length of waiting time, she said: “I think good things are worth waiting for.” Most students don’t have to wait that long, but I do have a waitlist and we are always looking for new mentors!
Making the time to make it work: Every so often, I hear people make comments along the lines of “Are you sure students don’t just want mentors so they can get out of class?” What people sometimes forget is that we prioritize academic instruction, meaning that students meet during an elective class and choose to give up a preferred activity to meet with their mentor. This year I have 3 students who are meeting with mentors during lunchtime—sacrificing their social time with friends—because it’s the only time that works to meet a mentor. I have eight other students meeting off-campus during their own free-time because they value staying connected with long-time mentors, and are not on campus for a full day. I have one freshman boy and his mentor who meet during zero-hour weight training at 6:30 am, because that is his best elective time. These decisions show me the value of the relationship for both the student and the mentor.
Highlights:
Highlights from this month:
• Homecoming Week Activities
• Pumpkin Contest
• Oct 13/14: Mentor Equipping “Helping students plan for life after high school” by John Grubbs and Lois Mehlhoff: very well attended with lots of positive feedback
• October 21: New Mentor Orientation: 4 onboarding
*Oct. 22: Presented to Noon Kiwanis
Upcoming:
Upcoming next month:
• Nov 17/18: Mentor Equipping “Beyond the Classroom: What Schools can do for Students” by Gabrielle Roberts, School Psychologist.
• Nov. 17th: BTO coordinators meeting
• Nov. 20th: New Mentor Orientation
• Holidays: Veteran’s Day, Teacher Workday, and Thanksgiving Break.
Number of Current Matches: 68
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – reynoldsl@lynden.wednet.edu