Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
This is my first year as Mentor Coordinator at Lynden Middle School, but not so for our returning matches. It has been so good to see students and mentors alike greet each other with smiles and laughter as they reconnect. Being able to share things that they did over the last few months is a great starting point to getting back into the rhythm of their relationships. One mentor had ordered a new game to share with her mentee; some brought in treats to share, and others went right back outdoors to the sport court. Mentors returned to check in with me saying things like “My student seems much happier this year than last spring” and “I am blessed by my relationship with my mentee”. I can’t wait to see how these relationships continue to grow and deepen this year!
Modeling how to end things well. Schedules often change for both students and mentors. One mentee expressed her need to close a match early so that she could focus on getting her classwork turned in on time this year. This had been a struggle in the past, so I set up a closure meeting with her mentor. They had one last meeting in person where they shared what they had learned from and about each other. Oftentimes, students have never had an opportunity to end a relationship in a healthy way before. Saying goodbye in a healthy and mature way is a life skill. Helping students learn how to navigate life changes is a game changer.
Relationships truly are built on trust. Trust takes time. One mentor who has met with her mentee three times already this month shared: “What they say is really true; it takes time to build a relationship where they (the mentee) really trust you.” The student she has been meeting with since the beginning of last year is very outgoing, happy and smiling all the time. On their second meeting this year, however, she started to get a bit teary. Her mentor asked her if she was alright. The student shared that her grandma had died that week, her mentor was able to give her comfort and a space to share her feelings. When they met again this week, she told her that was the first time she had really had a chance to cry about it. This is what it looks like to create a safe space for kids to be themselves!
As the school year gets underway, I look forward to creating more matches as new mentors come on board after New Mentor Orientations. I have had a TON of support from staff at Lynden Middle School as I get to know routines, faces and schedules. I came into the school program where 12 active matches from last year have continued. I have started 3 new matches already, with 2 more in the process. It has been awesome to have kids bring their friends into my office to fill out interest forms after learning more about the program. Students referring their friends is a sign of a successful and healthy program!
Highlights:
-First Two New Mentor Orientations complete!
-Attended Septemberfest, wow so much fun meeting those who support BTO!
-Starting to connect names with faces around campus
-Three students with mentors referred their friends to the program
-One re-matched mentor and two new matches started
-Shared Be The One in our “Mission Minute” with Nancy McHarness at NCCTK
Upcoming:
-New Mentor Orientation October 15th at LMS
-October 5- Waiver Day (No school for students)
-Parent/Teacher conferences (early release) Oct 22, 23 and 26
-7th and 8th Grade Halloween Dance at 1pm Oct 30th!
Number of Current Matches: 15
Submitted by Tara Bowler – bowlert@lynden.wednet.edu