Professionalism

1. Professionalism Based on: Massen, A. (2010). Professionalism Training Module.http://www.weber.edu/CommunityInvolvement/Mentoring_Tutoring.html

2. Professionalism This section will discuss the importance of acting and appearing professional when working with junior high school or high school students. The areas of focus are as follows: • Time Management • Appearance • Understanding Your Volunteer Role • Expectations • Behavior

3. Time Management You are expected to show up on time to your assigned classroom, or the teacher’s office when you are scheduled to be there. If, for some reason, you are unable to make it on time, need to leave early or cannot make it at all, please be sure to call the GEAR UP Coordinator and/or the teacher and let them know.

4. Time Management Standing around doing nothing is not mentoring and is a waste of everyone’s time. If you feel you need something to do please ask the classroom teacher and/or the GEAR UP Coordinator. They will more than likely give you something to do or point you in the direction of a student who needs help.

5. To ensure that you are dressed appropriately, follow the XX School District dress code. Appearance

6. Dress Code Coordinator – insert bullet points outlining dress code for staff here as well as any other requirements (e.g., ID badges on lanyards; uniforms, etc.) that are above and beyond district requirements.

7. Appearance Please be clean and presentable when going to the school. Showering regularly, brushing your teeth and hair and washing your hands after using the restroom or touching your face are the fundamentals of good hygiene. It is important that you use these practices when serving as an academic mentor. Additionally, wear clean, ironed clothes that aren’t ripped, wet, torn or stained.

8. Appearance • Tattoos, if you have any, must be fully covered • Ear piercings are permitted but gauges and facial piercings are not.) • Anything that may be gang related will not be tolerated.

9. Your Role You must respect the rules and regulations of the school. If you fail to abide by these rules/regs you may be terminated.

10. Your Role Coordinator – Insert specific school/district rules you want to cover.

11. Your Role You are a role model to the students with whom you are working. Therefore, every time you mentor, you are expected to behave professionally, ethically, and responsibly. If you fail to adhere to this code of conduct you will be terminated.

12. Your Role Discrimination is not acceptable and will not be tolerated while you are mentoring. Discrimination encompasses any of the following; a person’s ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, education level and disability.

13. Your Role When mentoring students you will need to be in line of sight of a teacher or GEAR UP Coordinator at all times. Even if you have passed a background check recently you need to keep in line of sight unless otherwise instructed. If you are asked to be alone with students make sure all doors are open. Note: your background check cannot be over a year old.

14. Your Role Contact with a student outside of the school is strictly prohibited. You are there to mentor these students, not make friends. Never give out your phone number, address, email, or social networking accounts. You should never contact a student outside of school. This includes calling, texting, emailing, social networking or visiting a student at their home.

15. Your Role You are not allowed to physically touch students unless it is a handshake or high five. You are not allowed to give students’ rides home under any circumstance. This practice guarantees no wrong doing on either part.

16. You are expected to act in the best interest of the student. Your only concerns should be the student’s academic success and safety. If you suspect that something is going on outside of school, please tell the GEAR UP Coordinator. Expectations

17. Expectations Seek to understand each students’ personal and cultural background. You will be working with students who have different religions, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Try to be respectful of them.

18. Expectations We ask that you do not share personal information with students. Your personal life, religious beliefs and political views should be kept to yourself. General information is okay as long as it relates to something a student is learning about. Example, you may tell a student about what it is like being in college.

19. Expectations Always be kind and respectful to students, other school staff, teachers and administrators, and the GEAR UP Coordinator. You are not there to discipline students or manage the program. Tell the GEAR UP Coordinator if a student is acting out or being disrespectful.

20. Expectations When tutoring students, instead of giving them the answer, show them how to get to the answer. This is how they learn the concepts in their homework and ensures that they understand the concepts for future retention.

21. Expectations Using respectful language that provides individuals with choices and consequences for their actions is also expected. For example, as an Academic Mentor, you might say something like this: “If you work on your homework assignment now, you won’t have to do it at home.”

22. Expectations Be respectful! That is the most important behavior you can exhibit. Avoid condescending and demanding attitudes towards anyone involved on or off site.

23. Expectations Also be open to sudden changes. The way things get scheduled does not always turn out. Keep a positive and enthusiastic mind set. The students are extremely sensitive to the mood of those around them and they respond better to someone who is happy and patient.

24. Expectations • Documenting Services to Students • Logs must be turned in at the end of every week • Time Sheets • Time Sheets must be turned in every two weeks (?)