Mentor Coordinator Report
Program Growth:
This year we had a record high of 75 matches at the beginning of the school year and maintained an average of 72 for most of the school year. A few new matches began, but the vast majority represent multi-year relationships continuing. We also had our own little BTO room for the first time, which was very popular with mentors and students as a meeting place. (Thank you to Elements Hospitality for making this possible.) This year stretched me as a coordinator with the number of matches and other responsibilities: we shifted to a new database for record keeping, I trained our new LMS coordinator, took the lead on all New Mentor Orientations, and also supported new coordinators at Ferndale and Nooksack.
Seeing students grow:
Several mentees made huge strides this year in terms of academics, attendance, school engagement, and future planning. A large number of mentees participated in sports this year along with band and drama, and their mentors attended games, concerts, and performances in support. Quite a few students in the AVID junior class have mentors and have been talking a lot about college and career plans with them. Twelve mentees graduated. Eight of these had been meeting since middle school, and the rest started as freshmen. Individual student stories (with media releases) will be shared out 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 loss of grandparents, serious injuries, illnesses, traumatic events, severe mental health challenges, difficulties with grades and relationships. When a mentor hears about a concerning situation first, we can gather additional resources and supports for that student. Many mentees express that their mentors help them deal with stress, anxiety and depression, and provide an emotional lifeline and anchor in turbulent times.
Evaluation:
Over 50 students participated in individual personal interviews about their mentoring experiences. Their recorded voices truly represent the power of mentoring. I love being able to hear student comments and share them with mentors so they feel valued and motivated to continue. In addition, all mentors and students received end of year surveys to complete to give feedback, make recommendations, and indicate their desire to continue in the program next year.
Survey Results:
98% of mentors completed surveys
88% of mentees completed surveys
Mentor Feedback and suggestions:
- Most are extremely satisfied with the program and level of coordinator support
- They love having our own room!
- Some would like summer meet-up options for mentors and students
- Some would like different options for the end of year event (other than the boat)
- They appreciated Mike Black’s presentation
- Training Topic Suggestions: Post-high school planning, cross-cultural understanding, conflict resolution, health and nutrition, youth mental health, transgender issues, healthy boundaries, supporting teen friendships, understanding school resources for support, generational differences
- Some would like more social gatherings for mentors (not just trainings)
- Having a monthly theme or optional activity would be helpful for some
- Some would like more options for physical activities or sports during their mentor time (particularly males)
Student surveys:
- Not all graduating seniors or those meeting off campus were able to complete the survey. I focused on underclassmen who would be returning.
- For the 56 students planning to return to LHS, only three were unsure about continuing. The rest all want to keep their mentors, including those who plan to do Running Start or Impact next year.
Student feedback
- Most are very satisfied and didn’t have recommendations
- Many love using the new room
- A handful would like to have off-campus meetings
- Some wish they could see their mentor more often
- Some would like more options for playing sports and wish we had outdoor basketball hoops or more places for physical activity (especially males)
Looking ahead to 2024-25
- Continued large number of matches with about 15 coming up from LMS
- Large number of upperclassmen in mentoring next year (24 seniors and 16 juniors) The vast majority of these have been mentoring since their freshman year or middle school. No wonder mentors want training on post-high school options! I will have to really work at making sure that mentors understand senior timelines and decision making.
- Will start the year with students on the waitlist that I hope to match in the fall
- Even though we have one room, it will continue to be a challenge to schedule all matches and find meeting spaces. We could use another designated space as well as outdoor space.
- Mentors suggested some good training topics, so we will try to work these in for our Mentor Equipping sessions next year. They also suggested some topics we have previously covered, that we might want to bring back again.
- I would like to have more seasonal activities to offer during match meetings next year
Number of Current Matches: 72
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – ReynoldsL@lynden.wednet.edu