Post on 28-Mar-2015
A Deep dive into Mentoring…10 Years of Sustainable
Results and Good Neighbors!
Spring Branch ISD
• Located 12 miles west of downtown Houston
• 46 campuses
• Highly diverse student body– 34,900 students– Economically diverse – high wealth, & high poverty– 59% low income– 57% Hispanic, 31% White, 6% African American, 6%
Asian– 33% Limited-English Proficient– 52% At-Risk of not graduating from high school
• 600 SpringBoard Mentors on 30 campuses• 100 Collegiate Challenge Mentors at 5 high
schools
By 2017, SBISD will double
the number of studentscompleting a
technical certificate,two-year degree or four-year degree.
Spring Branch ISD believes that a great school system:
DEFINING SUCCESSbuilds on the strengths and
gifts of each child,
provides students from poverty the same opportunities for success after high school as students from non-poverty homes,
instills in every studentthe belief that they canachieve more thanthey think possible, and
assures that every adultin the system is committedto the successfulcompletion of some formof higher educationfor every child.
Step I.Info-session…
Building the Case for Mentoring
Texas median household income is 10 percent lower than the average for the 10 mostpopulousstates.
Texas’ higher participation rate is lower than a
decade ago, and lower than comparable states such as New York,
California, Michigan and Illinois.
education
Annual household is expected to decline by an estimated $30-40 billion
by 2030.
income
Texas seeks to close the gaps by increasing the number of degrees,
certificates and othersuccesses
by 2015.identifiable
30% limited English proficient
The Facts: Spring Branch ISD
34,900 students55% minority
59% economically
disadvantaged30% mobility
rates
Limited exposure to college for
some
Lack of parent
participation for most low income
kids
Some lack life
experiences
52% at risk of not graduating from
high school
Mentors help teach our children about
• Support• Empowermen
t• Boundaries• Expectations• Constructive
use of time
Mentors help teach our children about
• Commitment to learning• Positive values• Social competencies• Positive identity
Students with Mentors…
• Develop a positive attitude towards school
• Improve in grades, behavior and attendance
• Are more responsible
• Are more enthusiastic
• Exhibit more self-control
• Exhibit decreased hostility
• Strengthen interactions with peers
Schools with Mentoring Programs Experience…
• Improved campus climate
• Happier teachers• Reduced campus
discipline problems• More students
focused on positives
• More resources for community
• Better understanding of their students
Mentors
• Receive training first• Meet once per week with mentee for
30 - 45 minutes• Communicate by email when a visit
is not possible• Commit to school year time frame
for mentoring• Are not tutors
Mentors help supply
the gift of hope
to those they touch
They provide a way to…
glimpse eternity
I can stand on mountains
To walk on stormy seas
I am on your
shoulders
…more than I can be
Advocate
Advisor
Role model
Mentor
Friend
Guide
Supporter
Encourager
Ally
A Mentor is…
a caring adult who spends 30 - 45 minutes weekly with a
student “on the brink of success” as an advocate, advisor, role model and
friend.
Why Mentoring?
The World is
Flat
Why Mentoring?
Bowling
Alone
Why Mentoring?
Developmental
Assets
How You Make a Difference
• Be a friend• Build a relationship• Promote T-2-4• Encourage strong future stories• Connect school and real life• Build:
• Problem solving skills• Communication skills• Deep analytical and questioning
skills – web literacy• Worldliness
• Fun!
The SBISD Mentoring Process
• Mentor Identification & Training– Cadre Approach– Partner & Campus Coordinators– Community Relations Team Support
• Recruit and train mentors• Ongoing support, communication, training (Mentor U)
• Student Identification– Students on the brink of success– Mentors matched with students all in same grade– Same gender matches
• Parent Permission• Flexibility built-in• Ongoing Training (Mentor U) and Support
Expectations of Mentors
• Weekly Visit • Email when visit is not possible
• One school year commitment… But we hope
you stay longer!
Step II.Training…
• Building Mentor Relationships• Do’s, Don’ts and Tips for Getting
Started• Not too Much Information too Soon
– Big Picture– Understanding the Kids– Understanding the Rules– Understanding the Logistics
Thinking Back
• What was it like for you when you were the age of your mentee?
Television
Music
News and Fads
Television
Music
Television
Music
News and Fads
Television
Music
News and Fads
Television
Music
Some Big Picture Thoughts on Mentoring
Describe the Perfect Mentor!
Mentoring Do’s• Be consistent• Be yourself• Be a good listener• Be honest, patient and
forgiving• Be encouraging • Be realistic• Respect cultural, social
and religious differences
• Maintain confidentiality (understand exceptions)
Mentoring Don’ts• Leave student alone
or leave school with the student
• Give gifts • Meet with student
behind closed doors • Expect to change
mentee’s life overnight
• Overstay your visit
Mentoring Don’ts
• Hesitate to ask for help from campus personnel
• Join in with a mentee’s criticism of family, school or friends. Do be a problem solver
• Give out personal information until you are ready
The Culture of Poverty
• Mentors bring knowledge of the middle class’s hidden rules that enable students to fit into school and work environments• Planning/Goal
Setting• Communication
• Children of poverty are often extremely resilient and great problem solvers
Getting Acquainted• Learn how to pronounce
each other’s names, and establish what you will call each other
• Ask open-ended questions to learn more about your mentee
• Help set goals for your relationship and for how you will spend time together
• Sit side by side – not across!
Getting Started• Begin by setting
expectations for the day
• Understand the typical attention span of your student
• Have several activities planned, just in case
• Provide ample notice of how much more time you have together for the visit
Ending Your Session
• Have closing conversation with student and celebrate something great about your visit
• Alert school personnel to any issues concerns, or celebrations
• Share any logistical concerns/issues with the mentor coordinator
Activity Recommendations• Explore on the computer • Read a book• Basketball• Crafts• Scrapbooks• Take pictures • Community service projec• Board games or cards • Talk about careers• Library• Take a walk• Tell stories about your past• Share things about your respective
cultures• Let your mentee teach you words
in his/her language
Goal Setting• Short term goals
– Getting over the fear of water
• Intermediate goals – Making the high
school swim team
• Long-term goals – College on a
swimming scholarship
•
Goal Setting• Role play
– Help the child be a problem solver
• Support your student in finding his or her future story
• Make sure it is their dream and not yours
Campus Logistics• Weekly Sessions
• Email when visit isn’t possible
• Call or email before your session
• Sign in and out at Front Office
• Meet in designated mentoring locations
Next Steps• Complete online Mentor Application
and Volunteer Registration at http://springboard.springbranchisd.com
• Attend the mixer event on your campus.
• Meet with your mentee and enjoy!
Building Mentor RelationshipsDo’s, Don’ts and Tips for Getting StartedBuilding Mentor RelationshipsDo’s, Don’ts and Tips for Getting Started
Step III.Ongoing Support
• Mentor U• Mentoring Matters• Book Studies• Robust Website• Engagement at Partnership Level -
Promoting Good Neighbors
Q&A
our schools,our community,
and, most importantly,
MentoringA positive change for…
You,
a child on the brink of success