MENTORSHIP VIDEOS
Check out these videos of current VOICE mentor matches from elementary, middle, and high school talking about what their mentorship means to them.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD MENTOR?
Before becoming a mentor, here are a few things to understand about the role of mentoring. Most of us have had a teacher, supervisor, or coach who has been a mentor to us and made a positive difference in our lives. Those people wore many hats, acting as delegators, role models, cheerleaders, policy
enforcers, advocates, and friends. Mentors assume these different roles during the course of a relationship, and share some basic qualities:
- A sincere desire to be involved with a young person
- Respect for young people
- Active listening skills
- Empathy
- Ability to see solutions and opportunities
- Flexibility
BENEFITS
Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Many mentors say that the rewards they gain are as substantial as those for their mentees, and that mentoring has enabled them to:
- Have fun
- Achieve personal growth and learn more about themselves
- Improve their self-esteem and feel they are making a difference
- Gain a better understanding of other cultures and develop a greater appreciation for diversity
- Feel more productive and have a better attitude at work
- Enhance their relationships with their own children
Above all, a good mentor is willing to take the time to get to know their mentee, to learn new things that are important to the young person, and even to be changed by their relationship.
VOICE MENTOR JOB DESCRIPTION
VOICE Mentor volunteers work in the school setting one-to-one with a student providing social/emotional and academic support.
Commitment:
Mentor Role:
- Support a student through an ongoing, positive one-to-one relationship.
- Serve as a positive role model, advocate and friend.
- Strive for mutual trust and respect.
- Build self-esteem, a positive attitude toward learning and a motivation to achieve.
- Help set student goals and work toward accomplishing them.
- Be an active, non-judgmental listener.
- Be accepting and respectful of individual differences.
Responsibilities:
- Be dependable and consistent in meeting time commitments.
- Maintain student specific confidentiality at all times.
- Communicate with site coordinator/teacher regarding academic and emotional needs of the student as well as progress/concerns and match issues, as needed.
- Report any student concerns to school staff and/or VOICE Director.
- Coordinate with staff to support academic and emotional needs of student.
- Advise staff of changes in schedule or availability.
- Adhere to all ISD policies and procedures, and those of the VOICE program.
Training:
- Attend new volunteer training and orientation session with VOICE staff.
- Complete the required documents of the Issaquah School District Adults
- High school student mentors – Hold Harmless Release form and Volunteer Agreement
- Attend VOICE training workshops throughout the year, schedule permitting.
- Attend mentor discussion forums throughout year, schedule permitting.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to positively influence student’s life, and enhance his/her school experience.
- Opportunity to support our local schools and strengthen the community by connecting with our youth and letting them know their voice counts.