“ Being a mentor is about walking beside someone , not standing over them and telling them what to do . A mentor has to listen ,” said Ginger Walle of Heart For Monroe . “ Being that person a student can talk to , call during school , after school or at night , is extremely valuable to students . Everyone needs to know that there is someone that has their back .”
Heart For Monroe is a coalition of churches , non-profits , businesses and individuals who have come to address homelessness , hunger and education in the community through building relationships .
There are more than 85 Heart For Monroe mentors actively working in Union County Public Schools . This includes mentors at East Elementary , Walter Bickett , Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts , Monroe Middle and Monroe High schools .
There were 32 mentors just at Monroe High School last year . There are currently 37 signed up for this year ; many of these are returning mentors .
There are also individuals who simply step up to be a mentor and are not affiliated with a volunteer agency . Mamie Garvin has been volunteering at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts for two years . A retired teacher , Garvin says she enjoys mentoring first graders .
“ I do it because I care about kids and their learning ,” Garvin said . “ You ’ re able focus in on students who may need a little extra help .”
Mentors come in all shapes and sizes . Men of Valor is a six-week mentoring program founded in 2012 by Wingate University success coach Masoy Henry . It targets minority males at Monroe and Forest Hills high schools , using minority male college students who help their mentees be successful in high school and make the choices that will help them after they graduate .
Cheryl Cobb , a guidance counselor at Forest Hills High School , says the impact of the Men of Valor program on minority males is visible . “ It ’ s a fabulous program and is very beneficial to our students .” Ellijah Gaddy , a senior at Forest Hills High School , said Men of Valor had a huge impact on his academic career and the choices he is making for his future .
“ It seems that a lot of boys have a hard time transitioning into men ,” Ellijah said . “ As young men , we have so much exposed to us . We have so many freedoms that we can go off the rails . We do things so freely , that we forget that at the end of the day , we do have responsibilities .”
Mentor : One who cares enough to make a difference
Teia Coleman , at left , a guidance counselor at Monroe High School , talks to her mentee , Faith Johnson , a senior at Monroe High School .
“ A lot of people wait until adulthood hits them ,” Ellijah said . “ They need to tackle being an adult before it tackles them . We need to stay on top of what we need to do , and leave the childish things alone . I see adulthood eat people up before they were ready to take it on .”
Teia Coleman , a guidance counselor at Monroe High School , connects the volunteer mentors with the students .
“ A mentor ’ s goal is mostly for emotional support ,” Coleman explained . “ As a school counselor , our goal is academic , personal , social and career . We want someone with a big heart who is willing to come in and talk one-on-one with the student . A lot of a student ’ s academic failures come from not having that support when it comes to personal and social life .”
Faith Johnson , a senior at Monroe High School , knows first hand the importance of a mentor .
“ I think Ms . ( Teia ) Coleman is a great mentor ,” Faith said . “ She has helped me a lot . I can come to her and talk to her about anything . She has helped me with my grades and she has helped me stay focused at school . She encourages me to work harder every day .”
Faith said mentors help students realize there is someone cheering for them besides their teachers and family . “ Mentors really have a big impact on students . It feels good to know that you have someone in your corner that cares and is willing to teach you and go on your journey with you .”
Mentors are especially critical for those students who do not have a support system at home . “ It ’ s really good to know that there is someone who really cares .”
The middle school years can be a challenge for students who are frequently in the stage between childhood and adolescence .
Megan , a student at Monroe Middle School , said she is grateful to have a mentor in her life who also tutors her .
“ I love tutoring ,” Megan said . “ It is really helping me . It ’ s important to me to improve my reading . I know I need help , and my tutor is helping me a lot . It ’ s benefiting me . It ’ s for my own good .”
Chris Dawson , senior minister at First Baptist Church in Monroe , has been volunteering as a mentor at Monroe Middle for two years through Heart For Monroe .
“ The best thing about being a tutor is to see the students ’ faces light up when they have been told their scores are improving , and the teachers are seeing a difference in their efforts and willingness to learn ,” Dawson said . “ My hope is that I am helping these students lay a foundation for their future education so that once they have completed middle school , they will be more prepared and more successful in high school , which might open the door for options to attend higher education if they choose .”
Being a mentor takes a special kind of person , Walle said , noting that it ’ s not an easy job . “ You need a heart full of love and grace when you mentor . It ’ s a lot of trust . It ’ s a lot of love . It is absolutely mind blowing the difference a mentor can make when you spend that amount of time with a student .”
It ’ s not uncommon for mentors to become very involved in their mentee ’ s life . “ Last year , we saw mentors pick students up from home and bring them to school , to job interviews and career fairs , go out and solicit businesses to give their students a job interview after the students graduated , bought the caps and gowns for their student , then went to the graduation ceremony and stood up and cheered for the student as they accepted their diploma .”
Becoming a mentor can have an impact , not only on the student , but on the mentor as well .
“ How many times in your life do you get to go out and get involved in your community and hear a young person say , ‘ Because of what you did , you changed my life ?’ “ Walle said . “ That is such a privilege and such a gift .”
UCPS would like to thank all of its mentors for supporting our students . If you would like information on mentoring , visit the UCPS Volunteer Services webpage .
— This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .
Parent Teacher Magazine • Mar / Apr 2017 • 17