KIDS MENTORING KIDS

Two-time Academy Award winning actor, Denzel Washington, attributes his success to his childhood mentor. As he says, “You don’t go it alone.” In his book, A Hand to Guide Me, Washington states, “We’re all meant to walk a certain path at a certain direction for a certain purpose.” He then tells the stories of over sixty well-known people who attribute their success to some form of a mentor, i.e., coach, teacher, family member, etc. Mentors can also be found among peers. The course, Kids Mentoring Kids, helps younger teens who may be having difficulty in school, either with their classes or with their peers by assigning them to a student in a higher grade. Working with an upperclassman who has been trained in a variety of skills: mentoring skills, communication skills (including body language, voice, and words), human relations, effective listening, questioning techniques, is an invaluable experience for the younger student. Kids helping kids provides growth for both the mentor and the student being mentored. The goal is to provide teens with the tools necessary to participate to their fullest inside and outside the school community. Mentoring younger students is a huge and rewarding undertaking for students. All students, mentors and mentorees, benefit from this program. As humanitarian Albert Schweitzer said, “Every person I have known who has truly been happy has learned to serve others.” The program was initially designed for students who needed help, whether academically or socially; however, the mentors also benefitted from the mentoring experience. Students of all ages want to feel they are accepted and validated. Those desires are fulfilled by their mentor. Statements from the mentors at the end of the year showed they benefitted as much as their mentorees. “I felt important.” “It was the first time I felt looked up to.” “I like the fact that I can be trusted and that I can help someone else.” “I know that I need someone to talk to sometimes—being there for someone else is great.” “I’ve learned that I can be a bigger person, a person to go to in a time of trouble,” and “I loved helping the underclassmen” were typical of the responses from the mentors on the follow-up of the programs. The responses from parents of those being mentored were also positive. A typical response is from one mother who said her son actually looks forward to going to school. Before that, he was scared to leave his home. Teachers commented on improved grades of those being mentored. The major benefits of Kids Mentoring Kids are reduced incidents of bullying, improved individual self-concepts, improved grades, and improved attitudes. When a child realizes his potential, he has a much greater probability of reaching it. Mentors make a difference! The primary goals for both mentor and mentoree include enhanced self-esteem, acceptance, validation, and self-actualization. Teens learn how they can be the best that they can be and teach their mentorees the same. Mentoring younger students is a huge and rewarding undertaking for your students. In order for them to not only learn the material but also appreciate its importance, small group discussions are encouraged throughout the program. Listening to their concerns will provide invaluable feedback. There are no wrong responses, only honest, heartfelt concerns; and those concerns need to be addressed. Students are asked to keep their own personal Journal in which they will be asked to respond to different segments of the program. After they have written in their Journals would be is a good time to hold class or small group DISCUSSIONS on what they have written. Assignments for students will appear in boxes throughout the program. All students, both mentors and mentorees, benefit from this program. As you, the teacher, serve your students, your students will now learn how to serve others. The Course is divided into five segments with time left to practice their newly-learned skills. The segments are (1) Importance of Mentoring, (2) People Skills, (3) Essential Skills (Questioning, Listening, Tolerations, Belief), (4) Mentor Training Techniques, (5) Mentor Training Origins, (6) Practice Sessions, (Appendix A) - Additional Courses, (Appendix B) - Tips Booklet on “How to Be the Best That You Can Be.”