Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
Going deep takes time: How long does it take to trust someone? Last week, a mentor enthusiastically shared a sweet moment with his student: “He actually talked about important things that he really cares about! He opened up about personal things that were bothering him!” During the conversation, the student said: “ Well you know that’s why a wanted a mentor, so I could talk about stuff.” The mentor felt a bit surprised: “Right, but we have been meeting since last year. I’ve been listening all this time.” His mentee replied: “Well, of course I had to know I could trust you first, before I could bring all that up.” As we always tell mentors, be patient! Trust takes time.
I had to be there for her senior year! One of my long-term mentors got a new job right when school started, and we weren’t sure if it was going to work for her to continue mentoring. She had new responsibilities, a different schedule, and had to get her feet under her before she could even ask a new boss about possibly leaving work to mentor. After several weeks, the mentor returned and the two were so excited to reconnect. The match started in middle school, and they have a close relationship. Her new boss is allowing her to flex time to come meet at school on Fridays. The mentor summed it up: “How could I not be there for her senior year?!” Her student is thrilled to have her on-going support this year as she makes plans for life after high school.
Laughter and Creative Juices Flowing. Many matches chose to decorate mini pumpkins together this month. I witnessed lots of laughter and creativity as students and mentors used basic supplies and their imagination to make a stunning array of scary, crazy, and downright beautiful creations. Even those who said they “weren’t artistic” had a great time. A huge thank you to Stony Ridge Farms for donating the pumpkins and Mary Lou Childs for picking them up and delivering them to our school. Matches look forward to this tradition each year.
Highlights:
Highlights from October
• Mini-pumpkin decorating and contest. Great participation!
• College and Career Fair Oct. 8 –- good networking opportunity for all
• New Mentor Orientation Oct. 15 – well attended, new mentors already matched!
• Coordinator Meeting Oct. 26—shared activity ideas and recruiting tips
Upcoming:
Upcoming in November
• Optional activity: Gratitude Prompts/Fall Leaves
• New Mentor Orientation: Monday, Nov. 9th
• Mentor Equipping: Nov. 16/17 “Teen Substance Use: Vapes, Drugs, and Alcohol by Jake Leland
• Holidays: Veterans’ Day, Teacher Workday, and Thanksgiving (no mentor meetings on Nov.11, 13, and 25-27.)
Number of Current Matches: 60
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – reynoldsl@lynden.wednet.edu