Making Connections: Student Mentoring PBIS Middle School Summer Institute July 15, 2009 Mara L. Egorin School Psychologist PBIS coach

Teacher to Student Mentoring What does Mentoring mean?What does Mentoring mean? There are many different definitions of mentoring and the types of relationships they promote (Smink, 1990). A broad definition- mentoring is a sustained one- to-one relationship between a caring adult and child who needs support to achieve academic, career, social or personal goals (McPartland & Nettles, 1991).

Types of Mentoring Educational or Academic Mentoring **Educational or Academic Mentoring ** Career MentoringCareer Mentoring Personal Development MentoringPersonal Development Mentoring

What makes a good mentor? Someone who:Someone who: –Engages in a positive relationship with the child –Gives attention to the child –Has positive self-esteem about himself/herself –Reacts well to stressful situations –Tolerates frustrating situations –Listens well –Communicates on a level that the child can understand –Provides leadership –Is a positive role model –Shows up on time for sessions –Is willing to serve a minimum of 1 year in the program –Is non-judgmental –Reinforces students success –Nurtures a relationship that respects a childs dignity

What should mentor a NOT be expected to do? Replace the role of a parent/guardianReplace the role of a parent/guardian Expect dramatic changes in attitude, self-esteem, or attendance quicklyExpect dramatic changes in attitude, self-esteem, or attendance quickly Provide solutions to all the issues facing the studentProvide solutions to all the issues facing the student Break the trust they have established, unless it is life threatening to the student or someone elseBreak the trust they have established, unless it is life threatening to the student or someone else

What should a student mentoring program include? Set Goals and Objectives ( determine what kind of mentoring program )Set Goals and Objectives ( determine what kind of mentoring program ) Infrastructure (coordinator)Infrastructure (coordinator) LogisticsLogistics –How long with relationships last? –When, where, and how often will students and mentors meet? LiabilityLiability FundingFunding

Benefits to the Student Receive assistance with academic endeavorsReceive assistance with academic endeavors Experience greater self-esteem and motivation to succeedExperience greater self-esteem and motivation to succeed Receive encouragement to stay in school and graduateReceive encouragement to stay in school and graduate Improve interpersonal relationships, such as with teachers and familyImprove interpersonal relationships, such as with teachers and family Receive assistance in choosing a career pathReceive assistance in choosing a career path Increased attendance ratesIncreased attendance rates

Benefits to the Student Decreased truancyDecreased truancy Decreased likelihood of dropping out of schoolDecreased likelihood of dropping out of school Better attitudes about schoolBetter attitudes about school Enhanced social, communication, relationship and decision-making skillsEnhanced social, communication, relationship and decision-making skills Improved behavior, both at home and school, including fewer disciplinary referrals and less violent and disruptive behaviorImproved behavior, both at home and school, including fewer disciplinary referrals and less violent and disruptive behavior

Benefits to the Adult Mentor Friendships with young peopleFriendships with young people The satisfaction of having contributed to the communityThe satisfaction of having contributed to the community Mutual respect which can lead to better overall student behavior in teacher classroomsMutual respect which can lead to better overall student behavior in teacher classrooms Opportunities to enhance personal strengths and develop new skillsOpportunities to enhance personal strengths and develop new skills

Research Information Lower dropout rate (Project PLUS,1990)Lower dropout rate (Project PLUS,1990) Increased community support (Pringle et al, 1993)Increased community support (Pringle et al, 1993) Improved student attendance- students under 12 (US Dept. of Ed, 2009)Improved student attendance- students under 12 (US Dept. of Ed, 2009) Improved self-reported school bonding and self-efficacy for girls (US Dept. of Ed, 2009)Improved self-reported school bonding and self-efficacy for girls (US Dept. of Ed, 2009) Positive effects of future orientation for boys (US Dept. of Ed, 2009)Positive effects of future orientation for boys (US Dept. of Ed, 2009) Low performing and at-risk students achieve best when offered mentoring in conjunction with other social and academic services geared toward improving student performance and addressing individual student needs (Brewster & Fager, 1998)Low performing and at-risk students achieve best when offered mentoring in conjunction with other social and academic services geared toward improving student performance and addressing individual student needs (Brewster & Fager, 1998)

Dundalk Middles Mentor Program Personal Academic Coach (PAC)Personal Academic Coach (PAC) All full time staff were mentorsAll full time staff were mentors Each mentor had 5-9 menteesEach mentor had 5-9 mentees PAC met for minute intervals 2 times a monthPAC met for minute intervals 2 times a month Scheduled into the school day, although not a consistent timeScheduled into the school day, although not a consistent time Staff was provided a suggested initial lesson and guidelines for mentee folders (required)Staff was provided a suggested initial lesson and guidelines for mentee folders (required)

Resources Icebreaker ActivityIcebreaker Activity..\My Documents\icebreakeractivity.doc..\My Documents\icebreakeractivity.doc..\My Documents\icebreakeractivity.doc..\My Documents\icebreakeractivity.doc Brag ButtonsBrag Buttons..\My Documents\bragbuttonactivity.doc..\My Documents\bragbuttonactivity.doc..\My Documents\bragbuttonactivity.doc..\My Documents\bragbuttonactivity.doc Mentoring PosterMentoring Poster..\My Documents\Mentoring poster DMS.pub..\My Documents\Mentoring poster DMS.pub

Contact Information Mara Egorin Dundalk Middle School Logan Elementary

References Student Mentoring, Dubuque Community Schools ormation.htmStudent Mentoring, Dubuque Community Schools ormation.htm ormation.htm ormation.htm Brewster, Cory & Fager, Jennifer (1998). By request…Student Mentoring, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratorys Information Services.Brewster, Cory & Fager, Jennifer (1998). By request…Student Mentoring, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratorys Information Services. Bernsteing, L., Rappaport, C., Olsho, L., Hunt, D., Levin, M., (March, 2009). Impact Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Educations student mentoring Program, Executive Summary. National center for education evaluation and regional Assistance, U.S. Department of Education.Bernsteing, L., Rappaport, C., Olsho, L., Hunt, D., Levin, M., (March, 2009). Impact Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Educations student mentoring Program, Executive Summary. National center for education evaluation and regional Assistance, U.S. Department of Education.