Guidelines For Mentors

Our Expectations of Mentors

• Mentor 3 young people for approximately 30 minutes per week.

• Involvement will be during school hours only.

• Punctuality is part of the instruction to them.

• Upon arrival in the building, check in the office.

• Please observe all school rules, (i.e. no hats, smoking, cursing, etc.)

• Please contact the office if you will not be able to be there.

• Be timely (start and stop on time).

• Respect your employer by leaving and returning on time.

• You are required by law to report signs of abuse. Contact the site coordinator, dean or principal if you detect physical abuse.

Characteristics of Young people

• Most children are in need of attention.

• Most are hurting in some way. It may be suppressed but it is there.

• Impressed with your maturity.

• May act uninterested, but will listen to what you have to say.

• They are masters at manipulation and diverting the conversation; keep the lesson focused.

• Remember that you are the oldest and have rich life experiences to share.

• They love to hear stories from your childhood. Feel free to juice them up a bit.

• Be sensitive to a possible fear of reading. Some people may read below their level.

Teaching The Lesson

• Read the introductory pages of the guide to view the big picture.

• Before you teach the lesson, read the preparatory page for that chapter in the Mentor’s guide.

This first page will stimulate thought and prepare you to interact with the young people.

• Always discuss the photo at the beginning of the chapter before you read the chapter. Ask questions like: What does that photo say to you? Have you ever felt like that before?

• When you feel that it is appropriate, assign a work sheet for that chapter.

• Always feel free to repeat any lesson that you did not complete or when you feel the young people need more time on a lesson.

• Be sure to use the wisdom of the elders as springboards for discussion.

• At the end of the lesson, as a group activity, compose your own quote.

• Remember that your life and presence gives credibility to the lesson for the day.