MENTOR TRAINING Part Two - Roles and Responsibilities

1. MENTOR TRAINING Part Two - Roles and Responsibilities

2. A Mentor is… • Volunteer • Friend • Confidante • Resource • Compass • Listener • Role Model

3. A Mentor is NOT a… • Parent • Friend of the parent • Trained counselor • Tutor • Bank • Means of transportation

4. A Mentor’s Responsibilities • Consistency • Reliability • Patience • Confidentiality • Positive reinforcement

5. Communication Skills • Look • Listen • Level

6. Mentor Guidelines • TSIC mentors meet with their students - at the school - during the school day or school functions - in an open area such as - Media Center - Guidance Office - Courtyard • TSIC mentors mentor one student at a time • You may alternate school visits with: e-mentoring, e-mail, text-messaging, phone

7. Your First Meeting • Before you go • Contact your school liaison • Prepare • Arrive on time • Check In

8. Getting Started • Exchange contact information including telephone numbers (home, cell or work) and e-mail • Determine a mutually amenable meeting time • The student should inform the teacher why he/she is missing class • The student is responsible for any missed work • The student should not meet during test days • You may call the school to confirm your student is in attendance before driving to the school for your meeting

9. Get to Know Your Student • Don’t expect too much too soon • Be prepared to share things about yourself • Bring mentor toolkit with appropriate activities • Check for ideas at www.takestockinchildren.com • Have fun!

10. Mentors • Have access to student grades, behavior and attendance records • Can speak with guidance counselors and teachers

11. Mentoring • While the student’s academics are very important and a logical place to focus, there will be times that a mentor may choose to allow the student advocate to work with the student on academic needs • The mentoring relationship may proceed as a supportive friendship, not as a grade cop • It is the student’s responsibility to meet the academic requirements of the program

12. Mentoring Activities • Mentoring Toolkit – grade level appropriate • Career readiness and college research • Homework / study skills • Discuss current events • Discuss short and long-range goals • Discuss problem-solving skills • Play games • Meet with guidance counselor or teacher • Read inspirational or how-to books together • Learn about your student’s life, family, friends, music, hobbies and special interests

13. Teach Problem-Solving Skills • Ask your student for potential solutions • Think them through together to determine which actions will bring about the desired results • Lead them to resources: • Teachers, Tutors, Guidance Counselors, Grade Remediation, Study Buddies

14. Financial Aid • Federal: FAFSA.ed.gov • State: FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org • Other Scholarships • Meet with guidance at least once each year beginning in 8th grade • Application deadlines to calendar

15. Preparing for High School Graduation • Cumulative GPA • FCAT • SAT / ACT • College Applications • Financial Aid

16. Career Readiness • Build Resume • Create Cover Letter • Interviewing skills • Internships

17. We Empower You • You are an advocate for this young adult! • Be creative – you may amaze yourself! • Ask questions, hold conferences, schedule meetings, inquire about tutoring, etc. • Communicate with your Take Stock in Children staff • Mentor Toolkit - grade level appropriate– hardcopy and online

18. Student Grades • Students are required to meet a minimum GPA for program eligibility. As a mentor, you will notified if your mentee is placed on warning or probation status • Students will be notified if they are being placed on warning or probation

19. Mentor Communications • Take Stock in Children staff members will keep in touch with you via: • Email • iMentor • Telephone • U.S. mail • We will inform you of: • Student grades and schedules • Program status • Upcoming events • Financial aid and college selection information

20. Child Abuse Information for Volunteers • Child abuse prevention and reporting information and policies are available through your local Take Stock in Children staff. • Be sure to be familiar with the procedures you must follow if you suspect abuse.

21. Bumps in the Road • My student missed a meeting or is late for a meeting • My student is not returning my phone calls or emails • My student has been placed on probation • My student won’t talk to me • My student is talking about a subject I’m not comfortable with • Something is up with my student, but I can’t put my finger on it

22. The Mentor-Mentee Lifecycle • Starting out • Growth • Maturity • Letting go • Closure

23. When it is Time to Say Good-bye • Please let your student know • Inform the Take Stock in Children office right away • Do not be embarrassed • If you can no longer meet with your student, we need to find him/her a new mentor

24. Mentor Resources: • WWW.FACTS.ORG • KNOWHOWTOGO.ORG • FAFSA4CASTER.GOV • Prattlibrary.org/findanswers • Takestockinchildren.org

25. Congratulations and Thank You! • Mentoring a Take Stock Scholar will have a profound impact on both of you • Please remember that although mentoring is one-to-one, you are not alone!

26. The #1 indicator of success for a child is a relationship with a caring adult.” - Fortune Magazine