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Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice

Explore the powerful impact of mentoring on youth at Spring Woods High School, Texas, through the GEAR UP program. Discover best practices, effective communication tips, and insights on addressing cultural influences. Support students in setting and achieving goals, fostering trust, and celebrating progress. Learn about the culture of poverty and how mentors can empower children for success. Join us in creating a positive change for the next generation!

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Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice

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  1. Mentors, Mindsets & Role Models COMMUNITY MENTORING Spring Woods High School GEAR UP Spring Branch, Texas Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice This program has been recognized as a Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice by the Texas Education Agency and Texas GEAR UP. The model is featured in the 2009 "Mentors, Mindsets & Role Models" toolkit designed to assist schools, districts, and community groups in their efforts to create or expand mentoring opportunities. All print materials are the property of the featured mentor programs and are not endorsed by the Texas Education Agency. The programs have generously donated their resources to help foster program replication and implementation. Materials are for informational purposes only. www.texasgearup.com

  2. Generously Supported by Experience the Impact of Becoming a Mentor

  3. Flashback Media Review Role Models Do’s and Don’ts Communication Tips Getting Started Program Logistics Campus Information Upcoming Events Q&A Likes and Wishes Agenda

  4. Thinking Back • What was it like for you when you were the age of your mentee? • Did you have a nick-name? • What were your fears and dreams?

  5. Thinking Back • What was the popular music? • What was your favorite TV show? • What was life like in your family? Neighborhood? • What were the biggest issues you faced in school?

  6. What are the messages? What messages are not part of the popular culture to which our kids are exposed? Who are the messengers? How do the messages of popular culture impact us as mentors? Media and Cultural Influences

  7. Some Big PictureThoughts on Mentoring

  8. Mentoring Do’s • Be consistent • Be yourself • Be a listener • Be honest, patient and forgiving • Be encouraging • Be realistic • Respect cultural, social and religious differences • Maintain confidentiality (understand exceptions)

  9. Mentoring Don’ts • Leave student alone or leave school with the student • Give gifts • Meet with student behind closed doors • Expect to change mentee’s life overnight • Overstay your visit

  10. Mentoring Don’ts • Hesitate to ask for help from campus personnel • Join in with a mentee’s criticism of family, school or friends. Do be a problem solver • Give out personal information until you are ready

  11. Getting Acquainted • Learn how to pronounce each other’s names, and establish what you’d like your mentee to call you • Establish trust and dependability • Ask open-ended questions • Help set goals for your relationship and for how you all will spend time together • Sit side by side – not across!

  12. Getting Started • Begin by setting expectations for the day • Provide ample notice of how much more time you have together for the visit • Understand the typical attention span of your age student • Have several activities planned, just in case • Have closing conversation and plan for next week

  13. Activity Recommendations • Explore on the computer • Read a book • Basketball • Crafts • Scrapbooks • Take pictures • Community service project

  14. Activity Recommendations • Board games or cards • Talk about careers • Library • Take a walk • Tell stories about your past • Share things about your respective cultures

  15. Goal Setting • Long-term goals • College on a swimming scholarship • Intermediate goals • Making the high school swim team • Short term goals • Getting over the fear of water

  16. Goal Setting • Role play • Help the child be a problem solver • Be a friend • Support your student in finding his or her future story

  17. Ending Your Session • Have closing conversation with student and celebrate something great about your visit • Sign out and return badge • Alert school personnel to any issues concerns, or celebrations • Share any logistical concerns/issues with the mentor coordinator

  18. Campus Logistics • Weekly Sessions • Email when visit isn’t possible • Call or email before your session • Sign in and out at Front Office • Meet in designated mentoring locations

  19. The Culture of Poverty • Poverty is the extent to which an individual has or does not have resources • Child poverty is closely linked to the educational attainment level of the adult and family structure • Absolute Poverty vs. Relative Poverty

  20. The Culture of Poverty • Poverty occurs in all races • Knowledge of hidden rules enables negotiation of environment • Children of poverty are extremely resilient and great problem solvers

  21. The Culture of Poverty • Non verbal language is predominant means of communication • Children of generational poverty have less developed language skills

  22. The Culture of Poverty • In middle class communication and planning are valued • In poverty, non-verbals and reactiveness are predominant • Entertainment and relationships are highly important

  23. MentoringA positive change for… You • And most importantly • a childon the brink of success • Our • Schools • Our community

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