Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools September 2014 | Page 9

Become a Mentor

Mentoring is a supportive relationship between a
school-aged 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, we have 266 volunteers
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,” writes Thomas
Dortch, Jr., The Miracles 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 your 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 businesspartnerships@
gaston.k12.nc.us.
The Mentor Training Sessions are held in the
Gaston Regional Chamber Training Seminar
Room, 601 W. Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia, N.C.
2014-2015 Training sessions are:
August 20, 2014
December 17, 2014
September 17, 2014 January 14, 2015
October 15, 2014
February 18, 2015
November 19, 2014
March 18, 2015
Office of Business and Education Partnerships
943 Osceola Street
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-866-6329
Fax: [phone]

Parent Teacher Magazine • Sept/Oct 2014 • 7