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

News and Fads

Television

Music

News and Fads

Television

Music

News and Fads

Television

Music

Today…

Today…

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