Douglas County School System MATCH Mentoring Program

Douglas County School System

MATCH Mentoring Program

Douglas County School System

MATCH Mentoring Program

"Putting the Pieces Together"

Overview of Training(AGENDA)

Overview of Training(AGENDA)

Program Description and GoalsMentor Commitment and

ResponsibilitiesReview Mentor Manual Wrap-up

Program Description and GoalsMentor Commitment and

ResponsibilitiesReview Mentor Manual Wrap-up


What Is a Mentor?What Is a Mentor?

By definition: a trusted guide, counselor, or teacher

For MATCH, a caring adult who volunteers one hour each week to meet with a student(s) and establish a nurturing relationship that enhances that student’s success in school

MATCH offers one-to-one, group and peer mentoring

By definition: a trusted guide, counselor, or teacher

For MATCH, a caring adult who volunteers one hour each week to meet with a student(s) and establish a nurturing relationship that enhances that student’s success in school

MATCH offers one-to-one, group and peer mentoring


History of Mentoring in DCSS

History of Mentoring in DCSS

Pilot program in 1995 at Stewart Middle By 1998, mentoring expanded to all

schools and grade levels In 2005, received federal grant to

enhance mentoring In 2008, combined MATCH and One-2-

One into single program serving all students

In 2009, coordinate with small group mentoring

Pilot program in 1995 at Stewart Middle By 1998, mentoring expanded to all

schools and grade levels In 2005, received federal grant to

enhance mentoring In 2008, combined MATCH and One-2-

One into single program serving all students

In 2009, coordinate with small group mentoring


Communities In Schools of Douglas County (CISDC)

Communities In Schools of Douglas County (CISDC)

National dropout prevention program

Became operational in 1996Douglas County programs include:

MATCH Mentoring After-School Programs Character Education Performance Learning Center

National dropout prevention program

Became operational in 1996Douglas County programs include:

MATCH Mentoring After-School Programs Character Education Performance Learning Center


How is mentoring funded?How is mentoring funded?

Communities in Schools of GeorgiaDouglas County School SystemUnited Way of Metropolitan

AtlantaFundraising eventsLocal partners

Communities in Schools of GeorgiaDouglas County School SystemUnited Way of Metropolitan

AtlantaFundraising eventsLocal partners


Mentoring GoalsMentoring Goals

Improve academic achievement

Develop high-quality mentoring

relationships

Help students develop personal and

social responsibility

Reduce negative student behaviors

Increase high school completion rates

Improve academic achievement

Develop high-quality mentoring

relationships

Help students develop personal and

social responsibility

Reduce negative student behaviors

Increase high school completion rates


Who Can Mentor?Who Can Mentor?

Any adults (including college students)

who are dependable, committed, and

caring

Must complete screening background

Must complete mentor training

Must honor commitment to student

Any adults (including college students)

who are dependable, committed, and

caring

Must complete screening background

Must complete mentor training

Must honor commitment to student


Your Mentoring Commitment

Your Mentoring Commitment

Training – today and ongoingSpend one hour with your mentee

each week at schoolWrite or e-mail your menteeParticipate in other activities –

community service projects or parent-teacher conferences

Training – today and ongoingSpend one hour with your mentee

each week at schoolWrite or e-mail your menteeParticipate in other activities –

community service projects or parent-teacher conferences


Who Are the Mentees?Who Are the Mentees?

Have low test scores Have a family history of

violence/abuse Lack self-esteem or

motivation Are failing in school Have a developmental,

physical, or emotional disability

Live in a high crime area Work below grade level Are eligible for

free/reduced lunch

Have low test scores Have a family history of

violence/abuse Lack self-esteem or

motivation Are failing in school Have a developmental,

physical, or emotional disability

Live in a high crime area Work below grade level Are eligible for

free/reduced lunch

Have been retained Have a sibling who was

expelled or dropped out Exhibit behavioral/

emotional problems Are home alone after

school Have a deceased

parent or sibling Have experienced a

traumatic event

Have been retained Have a sibling who was

expelled or dropped out Exhibit behavioral/

emotional problems Are home alone after

school Have a deceased

parent or sibling Have experienced a

traumatic event


What’s different about Mentoring Programs that focus on youth

development?

What’s different about Mentoring Programs that focus on youth

development?

Asset Building Mentoring … Mentors and families on

same team

Youth benefit from positive relationships with many caring adults

Effective mentoring can happen in both informal and group settings

Mentors are recruited to engage in positive relationships

Asset Building Mentoring … Mentors and families on

same team

Youth benefit from positive relationships with many caring adults

Effective mentoring can happen in both informal and group settings

Mentors are recruited to engage in positive relationships

Mentors and mentees jointly select activities based on students needs

Families and schools are active partners

Researched based methods

Use mentoring best practices

Mentors and mentees jointly select activities based on students needs

Families and schools are active partners

Researched based methods

Use mentoring best practices

What is the role of a mentor?

What is the role of a mentor?

You are……a friend…a role model…a confidant… a nurturer

You are……a friend…a role model…a confidant… a nurturer

Activity…..List what you feel a

mentor is or should be.

Activity…..List what you feel a

mentor is or should be.


Common Phases of a Mentoring RelationshipCommon Phases of a

Mentoring Relationship

1. Beginning and introduction

2. Building trust

3. Testing the relationship

4. Increasing independence

1. Beginning and introduction

2. Building trust

3. Testing the relationship

4. Increasing independence


Engaging in Good Conversation

Engaging in Good Conversation

Keep it going

Conversation doesn’t have to be heavy

Be prepared for the unexpected answer

Keep it going

Conversation doesn’t have to be heavy

Be prepared for the unexpected answer

Listening is most important

Timing can be everything

Be prepared to give your own answer

Listening is most important

Timing can be everything

Be prepared to give your own answer



ConfidentialityConfidentiality

Always remember toDiscuss the child only with

appropriate school personnelDiscuss only when students are not

presentCommunicate directly with the

mentor contact if you have concernsRespect dignity, privacy, and

individuality of all students and staff

Always remember toDiscuss the child only with

appropriate school personnelDiscuss only when students are not

presentCommunicate directly with the

mentor contact if you have concernsRespect dignity, privacy, and

individuality of all students and staff


Child Abuse and the LawChild Abuse and the Law

Mentors are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect

What is abuse?Any form of sexual, physical, or emotional

maltreatment or neglect, including verbal abuse, medical or educational neglect, and bullying

Remember to Believe the child Listen openly and calmly Reassure the child but be honest about

your responsibility to report Report the information immediately

Mentors are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect

What is abuse?Any form of sexual, physical, or emotional

maltreatment or neglect, including verbal abuse, medical or educational neglect, and bullying

Remember to Believe the child Listen openly and calmly Reassure the child but be honest about

your responsibility to report Report the information immediately


Emergency ProceduresEmergency Procedures

In the event of a school drill, inclement weather, accident, illness or other situation:

Stay calmFollow instructions of school staffFollow emergency procedures as outlined

in training manualRemember, safety first

In the event of a school drill, inclement weather, accident, illness or other situation:

Stay calmFollow instructions of school staffFollow emergency procedures as outlined

in training manualRemember, safety first


Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

DO take time to establish rapport

DO set boundaries DO be aware of your

own limitations DO remember to

listen DO keep information

confidential DO be yourself

DO take time to establish rapport

DO set boundaries DO be aware of your

own limitations DO remember to

listen DO keep information

confidential DO be yourself

DON’T get discouraged

DON’T be manipulated

DON’T expect quick changes

DON’T feel like you need to have all the answers

DON’T feel like you are in this by yourself

DON’T get discouraged

DON’T be manipulated

DON’T expect quick changes

DON’T feel like you need to have all the answers

DON’T feel like you are in this by yourself


Mentor ChecklistMentor Checklist

Honor your commitment

Call before you go Sign-in as a

mentor Follow school rules Ask questions Relay concerns Remember –

school- based program

Honor your commitment

Call before you go Sign-in as a

mentor Follow school rules Ask questions Relay concerns Remember –

school- based program

Complete MATCH Weekly Log

Don’t be a parent Try not to be Santa Remember –

change takes time Be mindful of

classroom time Let mentor contact

know of changes

Complete MATCH Weekly Log

Don’t be a parent Try not to be Santa Remember –

change takes time Be mindful of

classroom time Let mentor contact

know of changes

Questions Questions



Mentor ManualMentor Manual

1. Orientation and Training2. Building Relationships3. Youth Development 4. Problem-Solving Skills5. Character Education6. GPS and Academics7. Special Education8. At-Home Training – Not Applicable9. Resources10. Notes and Miscellaneous

1. Orientation and Training2. Building Relationships3. Youth Development 4. Problem-Solving Skills5. Character Education6. GPS and Academics7. Special Education8. At-Home Training – Not Applicable9. Resources10. Notes and Miscellaneous

What’s next?What’s next?

Mentor interviewSchool orientationMATCH!

Mentor interviewSchool orientationMATCH!



Puzzle Pieces(an excerpt from an adaptation of a work by Karen

Hegeman)

Puzzle Pieces(an excerpt from an adaptation of a work by Karen

Hegeman)

Student lives can be compared to jigsaw puzzles. Each area of his or her life has a unique design & many students lack the ability to put the pieces together & form the puzzle’s big picture.

MATCH mentors can help students sort the puzzle of their life by helping them consider each fragmented piece &

determine its relationship to their future success.

Student lives can be compared to jigsaw puzzles. Each area of his or her life has a unique design & many students lack the ability to put the pieces together & form the puzzle’s big picture.

MATCH mentors can help students sort the puzzle of their life by helping them consider each fragmented piece &

determine its relationship to their future success.


Thank You!Thank You!

Thanks for being here today!

Please contact us if you have any additional questions:

Mitzi Teal 770.651.2039 MATCH 770.651.3445

[email protected]

Thanks for being here today!

Please contact us if you have any additional questions:

Mitzi Teal 770.651.2039 MATCH 770.651.3445

[email protected]

Documents

Douglas County School System MATCH Mentoring Program