This interactive presentation will focus on ideas for building mentor partnerships between colleges and K-12 schools. Additionally, college students who serve as mentors will present tips for establishing positive rapport, serving as constructive role models, and fostering trusting relationships with mentees. Target audience members include K-12 faculty members, college students, and college faculty members

Andrews, Traceel

Graham, Ra\u27Shaud

Graham, Tammy J.

Harris, Matthew

McManus, James

English

Georgia Southern University: Digital Commons@Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern UniversityDigital Commons@Georgia SouthernNational Youth-At-Risk Conference SavannahMar 3rd, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PMMentor Partnerships between Colleges and K-12Schools: Perspectives from College Students WhoMentorTammy J. GrahamThe Citadel, tammy.graham@citadel.eduRa'Shaud GrahamThe Citadel, rgraham5@citadel.eduTraceel AndrewsThe Citadel, tandrew2@citadel.eduJames McManusThe Citadel, jmcmanu1@citadel.eduMatthew HarrisThe Citadel, mharris6@citadel.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannahPart of the Elementary Education and Teaching Commons, Higher Education and TeachingCommons, and the Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching CommonsThis presentation (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences & Events at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in National Youth-At-Risk Conference Savannah by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern.For more information, please contact digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu.Recommended CitationGraham, Tammy J.; Graham, Ra'Shaud; Andrews, Traceel; McManus, James; and Harris, Matthew, "Mentor Partnerships betweenColleges and K-12 Schools: Perspectives from College Students Who Mentor" (2015). National Youth-At-Risk Conference Savannah.169.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/169Mentor Partnerships between Colleges and K-12 Schools:Perspectives from College Students Who MentorObjectives• Highlight ideas for building mentor partnerships between colleges and K-12 schools• Present tips for establishing positive rapport, serving as constructive role models, and fostering trusting relationships with mentees• Offer perspectives on mentoring and lessons learned from current and past mentorsPartnering with K-12 Schools• Approached by school personnel during field experiences• Contacted by former students now teaching or counseling• Developed mentor partnerships at requests of schools• Researched best mentoring practices• Based partnerships on schools’ distinct needs“Everyone needs a coach, whether it’s a top levelexecutive, a graduate student, a homemaker, a homelessperson or the President of the United States”- Anthony RobbinsFinding Strong Mentors• Partnered with The Citadel’s African American Society• Announced mentoring opportunities in education courses• Sought recommendations from Tactical Officers• Spoke to students one-on-one• Developed online application processUtilizing Best PracticesAssigned School-Based Prescriptive Mentoring (Anastasia, Skinner, and Mundhenk, 2012)•Paired with specific mentees needing assistance with academics, time management and organization, and/or positive attentionNatural School-Based Developmental Mentoring (Anastasia, Skinner, & Mundhenk, 2012)•Worked to establish rapport, build trust, and serve as positive role models while participating in recreational activities“Mentoring brings us together – across generation, class, and often race – in a manner that forces us to acknowledge our interdependence, to appreciate, in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, that ‘we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny.’ In this way, mentoring enables us to participate in the essential but unfinished drama of reinventing community, while reaffirming that there is an important role for each of us in it.” - Marc Freedman Knowing What to Do• Set a good first impression• Look confident, wait for invitation (if appropriate)• Ice-breaker activities (bingo, basketball, etc.)• Learn their names• Introduce yourself (practice good manners)• Establish relationship with staff/faculty/teacher• “Two-deep” ruleEstablishing Positive Rapport• Be optimistic• Make the student feel safe• Provide opportunities for them to speak• Listen  >  Talk• Do not be judgmental• Present necessary challenges that are actually attainableBuilding Trusting RelationshipsStudents need to feel as though the mentor cares them; students are the primary focus1. Actively show that you carea. Learn about them and their situation2. Be consistenta. Show up every time (can lose any progress)3. Be relatablea. Demonstrate you can helpb. Show you know what you’re doing4. Establish goalsa. Keep students on track and looking forward5. Be approachable/reachablea. Establish a safe way to contact youCovering Topics and/or Skills• Organizational Skills• Binders (hole-punch, dividers) vs. folders (inhibit organization)• Time Management• Agenda/planner, thinking ahead (sports practice)• School Skills• Study: type of learner, flashcards, stress ball, music• In class: stay awake, quiet, respectful, don’t talk back• Life Skills• Conflict resolution, patience, leadership, responsibility, adulthood• How to make a paper airplaneMentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.“- John CrosbyOutcomes/Impact: K-12 Students• Provided opportunity to connect and talk about their dreams with successful college students to whom they could relate• Increased organizational abilities• Allowed opportunity for one-on-one assistance on assignments in areas of difficulty• Learned/improved skills for completing tasks• Life: conflict resolution, patience, leadership, responsibility, adulthood• School: study habits, how to read critically, linking subject material to real life (and other subjects)Outcomes/Impact: College Students• Learned importance of being a constructive role model and building positive relationships• Provided opportunity to serve local community• Provided satisfaction of seeing students progress• Learned that students rise to expectations• Taught preservice teachers the importance of teaching organizational skills to their future students• Allowed preservice teachers experience with students with exceptionalities• Improved preservice teacher communication skills with studentsLessons Learned• Work out logistics before visit (call ahead)• Have goals for each visit (create a plan)• Learn names quickly (both ways)• Visit once weekly (consistency is key)• Be interactive (“guide on the side”)• Have high expectations (they will meet them)• Be supportive (listen and give advice when appropriate)• Be understanding (lots of pressures, including sleep)• Make mentoring a priority (stay engaged; have an impact)Ideas for Replicating • Look for opportunities to build relationships with local schools• Listen to needs of school• Review research on mentoring• Develop partnership based on needs and best practices• Find positive, reliable mentors; think of personalities and goals when matching with schools• Help with logistics • Provide tips to mentors (lunch meetings, emails, etc.)• Follow-up with schools (emails, phone calls, visits, etc.)• Follow-up with mentors (emails, lunch meetings, etc.)• Be willing to make changes if neededReferencesAnastasia, T. T., Skinner, R. L., & Mundhenk, S. E. (2012). Youth   mentoring: Program and mentor best practices. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 104(2), 38-44. PresentersTraceel AndrewsCadet Recruiting SergeantMatthew HarrisCadet Squad CorporalRa’Shaud GrahamCadet Platoon SergeantJames McManusCadet Master Sergeant & Regimental Public Affairs NCOTammy J. Graham, Ed.D.Association ProfessorThe CitadelZucker Family School of Educationtammy.graham@citadel.edu

Mentor Partnerships between Colleges and K-12 Schools: Perspectives from College Students Who Mentor

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Mentor Partnerships between Colleges and K-12 Schools: Perspectives from College Students Who Mentor

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