Mentor Spotlight

Jackie Young - February 2009

When I first began working at San Juan Diego Middle School, I knew that it would be both a rewarding and challenging experience.  I didn’t realize how rewarding it would be until I began mentoring in October.  Mentoring has enabled me to support and share with students in a more relaxed setting than the regular school day.  I mentor Monday thru Wednesday, and no matter how long a work day I’ve had I can honestly say that I look forward to mentoring George and Elissa at night.  I mentor them because I love being a part of their lives, and I love to help them bring out their fabulous skills and qualities for everyone to see.  Aside from working on homework, I am able to connect with them and talk to them about life, and offer my support and my ear whenever they need it.  I’ve discovered what wonderful students George and Elissa are, and I really care for them and will do anything to help them.

It is important to mentor because of the possibility of forming the relationships that I have been lucky enough to form.  Some students don’t have an adult in their lives that they feel that they can turn to for advice.  Some students don’t have someone at home to remind them to turn their homework in.  Some students don’t have someone in their lives that is absolutely crazy about them.  This is why more people should mentor.  You have so much to offer students just by spending some time with them, and it is surprising how much you can get out of mentoring as well.  I feel that I’ve learned just as much from my mentees as they have learned from me.  More people should mentor in order to make a genuine differences in the lives of our kids.