Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County School March 2014 | Page 9
Become a Mentor
© Disney
“Discover the Power of an Hour!”
Mentoring
is a supportive
relationship
between a schoolaged child and
a caring adult
volunteer. The
mentor provides
support, guidance
and assistance
as a role model
and friend. As
a result of this
relationship, the
student gains
valuable life skills,
an increased
sense of
accomplishment
and new tools to help set and achieve goals.
The purpose of the mentoring program is to improve self-esteem,
attitudes and attendance and to offer motivation to stay in school
and plan for the future. Mentoring ultimately has a powerful impact
on academic performance. Gaston County Schools Office of Business
and Education Partnerships facilitate the Mentoring Program with
recruitment, training and matching of volunteers from business,
community, and civic organizations.
To be approved as a Gaston County Schools mentor, an on-line
volunteer application with criminal background check is required. The
application is available at www.gastonschoolvolunteers.com.
The term mentor has become synonymous with a wise and
trusted guide, teacher and friend. This year, 266 volunteers are
serving as mentors in Gaston County Schools. Mentoring transforms
relationships and has a profound impact on students. “When you give
your time, experience and wisdom to young people, you are sowing
seeds of pride, confidence and accomplishment.” Thomas Dortch,
Jr., The Miracle of Mentoring. Mentoring is also surprisingly fun and
rewarding for the volunteer!
Annual program data, as well as documented success stories from
teachers, illustrate the positive outcomes of Gaston County Schools’
Mentoring Program.
Volunteers can enter the mentoring program at any time
throughout the school year. Training sessions are held monthly in
the Gaston Regional Chamber Seminar Room, 601 W. Franklin Blvd.
Gastonia. Group trainings for businesses, civic, community and faith
based organizations are available upon request at you site.
For more information or to reserve a seat for mentor training call
Valerie Yatko, Director, Office of Business & Education Partnerships at
704-866-6329 or email [email protected].
Thu. MAR. 20
3:30 & 6:30 PM
Time Warner Cable
Arena
Mentor Training Session: March 19, 2014
Held in Gaston Regional
Training Seminar Room
265673
601 W. Franklin Boulevard,
Gastonia, N.C.
Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com
800-745-3000 • Venue Box Office
disneyjuniorlive.com
#DisneyLive
Parent Teacher Magazine • March/April 2014 • 7