ADULT MENTOR PROGRAM

FOR NINTH GRADE STUDENTS 

History

The original Mentor is a character in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. When Odysseus, King of Ithaca went to fight in the Trojan War, he entrusted the care of his kingdom to Mentor. Mentor served as the teacher and overseer of Odysseus’s’ son, Telemachus.

Definition

The Merriam-Webster WWWebster Dictionary defines a mentor as "a trusted counselor or guide." For their Mentor/Protégé Program, the Anesthesiology Department of Cleveland’s MetroHealth System defines mentor as "a wise, loyal advisor or coach."

Application

A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is not done for personal gain.

At Carolina International School, mentoring is a very important program:  our sixth grade students mentor our kindergarten students, our seventh grade students mentor our first grade students, and our eighth grade students mentor our second grade students.  There is a tremendous amount gained from the relationship and information that is disseminated during mentor interactions.  The mentors serve as teachers and role models for the younger students.  They grow as individuals and as students.  We are very proud of our mentors and our program. 

We want to provide the same support structure for our eldest students – our ninth graders.  Each ninth grade student will have the opportunity to select an adult on our campus to serve as a mentor to them.  At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, each ninth grade student will receive a list of staff members’ names on our campus and a brief biography about each staff member.  The biography will list hobbies, interests and background.  Ninth graders will have the opportunity to read the biographies and select an adult they want to serve as their mentor. 

The goals of this program are:

1.                  To provide an adult advocate for every ninth grade student.

2.                  To provide guidance in the development of each student academically and socially throughout the high school career of each student.

3.                  To encourage each student to rise to their full potential.

4.                  To discuss short and long term goals for high school and post secondary schools.