More Than A Mentor
Kymora Wade is so excited about being a fifth grader at Chase Street Elementary School. “Even though I struggle with school sometimes, I still love it.” According to Wade, this newfound enthusiasm is because of Paige Fierbaugh, her new mentor and friend. “I love seeing her at school and hanging out with her. She is like a big sister to me.”
Wade is part of a growing number of students in the Clarke County School District being supported by a mentor. Research suggests that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations.
The mentoring program is a movement that has produced positive results for numerous students who need that extra support to fill voids in their lives. Human Development Specialist, Emillie Smith contends that research shows that mentoring can sway behavior patterns of children when providing consistent mentoring.
“Some children live in challenging circumstances.” Smith explains that neighborhoods and family circumstances may not offer the support each child needs to be successful. “What research shows is that when there is a mentor who is constantly engaged in the life of a young person over a year or more…that can really contribute to young people being less involved in substance abuse and pregnancy, and more likely to achieve academically.” Smith stresses the importance of the mentor being consistent and adds that longevity increases the positive outcomes.
The supportive, healthy relationships formed between mentors and mentees contribute to a host of benefits for both. Some of these benefits include increased high school graduation rates, healthier relationships and lifestyle choices, better attitude about school, and enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.
Cynthia Ballard, Chase Street Elementary School Counselor, is a huge proponent of the mentoring program and acknowledges benefits for both the mentor and the mentee. “I do believe that mentoring benefits both the child and the mentor, especially with having two individuals learning different things about one another to include interests, cultural differences and beliefs, as well as life experiences.” In addition, Ballard contends that both participants find great satisfaction throughout the mentoring process. “The adult mentor feels a sense of joy when spending time with the mentee and enjoys seeing the growth and progress made within the child. Likewise, the mentee looks forward to visiting with his mentee because he benefits from that one-on-one relationship.”
Other Clarke County mentors such as Barbara Benson and Sam Curt agree that the program is beneficial for both the mentor and mentee. Curt explains that for some, it isn’t about being the deliverer because the relationship is of mutual respect. “My mentee didn’t need me to come in and save him, he just need someone to come in and give him some direction” and by the same token, throughout their time together, he stated that the child, who has now become an adult, had reciprocated and given him direction as well.
Mentoring programs have been studied since the 70s, and have continued to grow in popularity among schools of all ages. It is believed that children need encouraging relationships to help provide and create a positive self-esteem and a healthy outlook on life.
In the Clark County School District, the community is approached as the ultimate pool of mentors. Anyone may apply to become a mentor, and with a clear criminal history background check, an application on file and a two-hour training session, you are good to go!
According to Alison Bracewell McCullick, Chair of the Clark County Mentor Program, the purpose behind each mentor in Clarke County is to support a child and guide him in a positive manner. According to “A mentor’s purpose is to encourage positive choices, promote self-esteem, support academic achievement, and introduce the young person to new ideas.”
School personnel like Adam Kurtz, Principal of Chase Street Elementary, states that every school and every child would benefit from a mentoring program. “If people ask me how they can help, mentoring is the first, second, and third thing that I say. If you want to change the life of a child, that’s definitely where to do it.” Kurtz supports and encourages the mentor program for his students. “When we speak with teachers, we learn about improved grades, improved behavior, and most importantly, an improved sense of self-worth.”
Stuart Cofer, a Clarke County mentee explains that many times when he enters the classroom to visit his mentee, students will often comment to him that they wish they had a mentor.
Numerous mentors in the Clarke County School District share about the reasons that they mentor. Responses from the mentors such as “I want to make a difference,” “I want to prove to my mentee that he is special,” “These great kids deserve it,” “I love watching my mentee grow over the years and being involved with her in the process,” and “I want others to feel special,” are just a few reflections from current and previous mentors.
Mentoring programs are common throughout Georgia. Barrow County, Gwinnett County, Madison County, Forsyth County, Coweta County and Douglas County all depend on the community to provide role models and support mentors for their students. Marion County, in southwest Georgia, has turned to their high school seniors to serve as mentors for their students. The initiative began in the 2016–17 school year when teachers were experiencing difficulty in motivating the fifth graders. They turned to the seniors and counselors for the pairing of mentors and mentees. Dr. Leigh Medders, Principal of L. K. Moss Elementary School was inspired by the notion. “Our fifth graders needed conversation with students that they looked up to such as the high school quarterback, the cheerleading captain, the basketball star, the STAR student, the technology guru, and the struggling student. Our students needed someone to listen and also needed some words of wisdom from someone who was relatable.”
L. K. Moss Elementary School and Marion County Middle High School are in their second year of the mentoring process. Marion County Middle High School Counselor, Melissa Jernigan, is a huge proponent of this program. “Our 5th graders always write letters to the seniors thanking them, and they always make me cry. They are so thankful for their time and enthusiasm, and express how much they will miss the seniors when they graduate. They are nervous about 6th grade in a new building and want advice about making friends. The seniors, though, are like sages. They are ready to impart their knowledge to these kids. They want to see them be successful, confident, and better than they (the seniors) were at that age.”
Clarke County Mentor, Paige Fierbaugh is looking for a life-long relationship with her mentee. Fierbaugh shares, “I definitely see this as a life-long relationship. I am in contact with her mother and I hope to be able to see her when I come back after graduation and catch up with her and continue to push her to be the best she can be.”
Kymora Wade shares this vision with her mentor, Paige Fierbaugh. “I just love having someone to watch out for me like a big sister. That is what Paige does for me.” Mentoring programs take many forms, however, the purpose remains the same. The Clarke County School District Mentoring Program which began with only 30 mentors has expanded year after year to include almost 500 mentors. Testimonials from both mentors and mentees sing the praises of how this program has positively impacted their lives. This program is one way that our college students and citizens are giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the future of Clarke County.
If you are interested in making an impact in the lives of children in the Athens- Clarke County Area visit: http://www.clarkecountymentorprogram.org/ for more information.
