Be A Mentor

            The spirit of the holidays is about giving.  As we celebrate the holiday season (Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa) and make plans to improve ourselves and our community for the upcoming year New Year, consider mentoring or tutoring at your local public school.

            Public schools need your support.  We all know how hard public schools were hit with budget cuts, school closures, reduction of staff and cuts to music, art and other programs to support struggling and non struggling learners.  Despite these cuts, school staff continue to work hard to provide the best education they can.  Your help can lessen the affects of these cuts by being a mentor in a public school.

            As a mentor, you are giving students an opportunity to get back on track or to enhance their academic skills.  By providing students with an approach to learning that differs from the normal routine that occurs in the classroom, a mentor can help re-engage (or increase engagement) students by helping them regain (or retain) their confidence in their ability to master academic content.

            A mentor also provides students with an opportunity to be connected with an adult who can offer life lessons and explain to students why education is important to their present and future adult lives.  A mentor can share personal life stories that could help students with decision making, self-esteem and navigating the pitfalls of adolescence.  By offering students another perspective of what they can aspire to become, a mentor can be that adult who students aspire to become when they grow up. 

            Please consider being a mentor.  Find out if your organization or your friends can adopt a school.  Schools need mentors to work with struggling and non-struggling learners with reading, math, science, art, music and technology.  These are key areas where schools struggle to provide time and support to both struggling and non-struggling learners.  Adopting a school doesn't mean you have to give money, it requires your time, expertise and commitment to impacting the lives of students.

Enjoy the Holiday Season!