Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
THINKING THROUGH WHAT’S NEXT… TOGETHER
One of my mentors shared that he enjoys talking to his 11th grade mentee about what things might look like after high school. The student recently mentioned that he might be interested in farming. The mentor asked all sorts of questions such as: Why are you interested in farming? What would you like to farm so you don’t have an off season? Or, if you have an off season, what could you do for income during that season?’ There was no pressure to have the perfect answer or know it all. It was just a conversation between friends asking real world questions so this duo can problem solve and come up with ideas together.
WISDOM FROM AN EXPERIENCED MENTOR
One of my experienced mentors always brings a notebook so she can remember names of pets, friends and family, as well as, follow up on challenges the next time they meet up. She says that every week she starts the conversation with a high and a low and the conversation flows from there.
ONE ON ONE… AWAY FROM DISTRACTIONS
Another of my experienced mentors shared her views on the importance of having a private and quiet space to meet. She said that she has observed how distracted her mentee is when in an open space with kids either walking by or coming in and out. I was able to find a quiet space for them to celebrate the mentee’s birthday and she said it makes their conversations so much more fulfilling for both of them!
Highlights:
• 41 hours of mentoring in October
• New Mentor Orientation at LMS on 10/24
• Mini-pumpkin decorating at NVHS
• Matches started up at NVMS this month
• Area coordinator meeting on 10/14
• Visit Ferndale Mentor Coordinator to experience how BTO works at FHS
At NVHS:
• 11 current high school matches, 1 new this month
• 54 potential students interested or referred to the program after presenting to the Freshman English classes in September
• 6 mentors on waitlist
• 4 mentees on waitlist
At NVMS:
• 4 current middle school matches, 1 pending, 2 are brand new this year
Missy’s Highlight:
I feel momentum growing with Be the One at the high school. We had our first Spanish speaking mentee submit her paperwork this week. Word is spreading and all kids are hearing about Be the One. 4 freshman submitted their paperwork and 2 senior boys asked for a mentor and brought permission forms home to be signed this month. I am connecting with students daily and they are coming to me to talk…sometimes about really hard stuff. My goal is to KNOW 100 kids by Winter Break… I’m currently at 60!
Upcoming:
• November Mentor Equipping (11/4 & 11/5) at LMS: Topic “Behavioral Responses to Trauma”
• “Meet Our Mentors” lunch on 11/15 at NVHS, a time for mentors to interact with all students during 1st and 2nd lunch and make mentoring more visible at our school
• November New Mentor Orientation (Date TBD)
Number of Current Matches: 15
Submitted by Missy Rus – melissa.rus@nv.k12.wa.us