Take the time to mentor
By: Kimberly Rusley
Updated: January 9, 2013
To Jackie Bennett, a fifth grade teacher, mentoring means more than just
talking to a child.
Bennett says of course the mentee benefits from the relationship, but it's special to her too.
"It's a life-long relationship," says Bennett. "It's something you won't forget. You won't forget that student,and they don't forget you."
Bennett says of course the mentee benefits from the relationship, but it's special to her too.
"It's a life-long relationship," says Bennett. "It's something you won't forget. You won't forget that student,and they don't forget you."
January is National Mentoring Month. Myra Robinson, Director of Reaching for the Stars Mentoring Program, is stressing the need of
volunteers.
"Let me give you some numbers: in the school-based program, we have 100 children who want and need mentors to serve as positive role models," says Robinson. "We need 70 mentors in this school."
Ms. Robinson says not only does the mentoring program have a positive effect on the children that are apart of it, but it has benefits for the adult as well.
"Even I've learned things that I didn't know before," says Robinson. "So, if i'm what, 60 years old and i'm learning still, can you imagine the impact it's having on our children?"
Karrington Williams is a 5th grader at J.S. Clark Middle School who meets with her mentor regularly.
"My favorite part about the mentoring program would have to be the field trips," Williams says. "The field trips are my favorite, because we get to go on the travel bus, and it's always somewhere out of state."
Robinson says she hopes the little girl's memories stay with her for a lifetime.
"And hopefully they'll look back, and they will say I had a mentor in my life that helped me and encouraged me and motivated me to be who and what I am today," says Robinson.
She says that's what mentoring is all about.
If you would like to become involved, click here for more information.
"Let me give you some numbers: in the school-based program, we have 100 children who want and need mentors to serve as positive role models," says Robinson. "We need 70 mentors in this school."
Ms. Robinson says not only does the mentoring program have a positive effect on the children that are apart of it, but it has benefits for the adult as well.
"Even I've learned things that I didn't know before," says Robinson. "So, if i'm what, 60 years old and i'm learning still, can you imagine the impact it's having on our children?"
Karrington Williams is a 5th grader at J.S. Clark Middle School who meets with her mentor regularly.
"My favorite part about the mentoring program would have to be the field trips," Williams says. "The field trips are my favorite, because we get to go on the travel bus, and it's always somewhere out of state."
Robinson says she hopes the little girl's memories stay with her for a lifetime.
"And hopefully they'll look back, and they will say I had a mentor in my life that helped me and encouraged me and motivated me to be who and what I am today," says Robinson.
She says that's what mentoring is all about.
If you would like to become involved, click here for more information.
