Mentoring? I have an idea and would like to ask NWKers

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

When I "instructor"ed in New Mexico I started a program where graduate students could mentor a sped. kid. It took off and ended up serving a ton of kids in the sped. community. I know Big Bro's and Sister's has there deal here in HR, but the kids in my class and other sped. classes typically don't have good role models who are active.

How many of you guys would be willing to have some interaction with a student as a mentor?

What would be your concerns about being a mentor?

Would you be willing to come to the class and talk about what you do as a job?

Just an idea, but keep in mind that Mentoring doesn't have to be a one on one thing it can be showing up in class to teach kids how to do something you love. For example: How to take good pictures? ( we just got an $800 grant from community ed"

You could lecture on an adventure to mexico..

You could be a guest visitor to the room and talk and answer questions.

Just a thought... I know that NWKite does amazing things for the community and these kids could use any positive interaction you may feel inclined to provide. If you are interested in being a guest speaker or mentoring drop me an email at

rcooper@hoodriver.k12.or.us

Oh yea.. We go skiing and snowboarding every year, we swim every week, we mountain bike and play basketball. If you would like to teach my kids what a foul is in bball I will buy you dinner.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

It was worth a shot.

Thanks for reading the post.

Bettyboarder · Wed Jan 21, 09 2:27 pm

Man you give up on people easy you have only had this posted a couple hours....some people are at work and can only check every once in a while give it some time.

I currently mentor at a low income school in pdx and it's awesome. For sure the highlight of my week. If I was in HR I would do it in a heart beat. I wish you luck with your program..you could try to connect with the college/high school out there are see if you could get some people to help.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I'm sure that more people are going to be interested. Thanks Betty

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I teach full-time at Newport HS and that is all I do each school day is teach, mentor and counsel with teenagers. It is alot of fun and very rewarding especially when I can see the learning process taking place with at-risk and IEP students. There are many students throughout Oregon and the rest of the US that gain huge insight into the career world by working with on-site mentors. If you have the time to contribute, then contact your local school district and consider spending some quality time with a student as a career mentor. Plus, you will probably learn a great deal about our youth and the schools they are attending. A little bit of time spent with a kid can be a life-long impression for both the student and the mentor!!

Michael Jakobsson
Professional Technical Instructor
Newport High School
Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Can I get an witness?

Ok, so I've got one person who actually called me and we are in the process of setting up a presentation at the HS. This person is a technology guy..project developer for a really cool science gadget.

We met yesterday and discussed what he could do. Very cool stuff... and I'll let him post if he wants to about the details of the project. It's like really brainy geek, ya know Hein level stuff.

Anyways!

What I'm hoping for is that we can get a flow of you very smart people presenting to kids at the HS and MS in your area of expertise. You have no idea who you will impact by doing this. You may never know until years later the effect that you will have. You are a real person, not a teacher, parent, but a real person. Does that make sense?

Here is why I do this, my rationale!

Kids don't connect school to their future the way that adults, at least most, do. They don't connect to real people working at real jobs. Now, this is not the case for all kids, but for a great majority of students, there is a lack of thought about what they can do for a career.

So, you have a passion, kiteboarding, finger painting, snow kiting, whatever, and you fund it with a career. You come to school and you talk to a group of kids. Some may hear you, some may sleep, but some may actually connect the fact that you are like them. "If he/she can do this so can I."

This is my last nudge. I have a ton of respect for this community and feel lucky to be a teacher in Hood River, and the state of Or.

Ron

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

I would love to help out. I'm in The Gorge for the summer season.

Email me and lets discuss options & ideas.

MELo

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Thanks for the interest and ideas.

shred_da_gorge · Mon Jan 26, 09 12:56 am

Picked up a LabQuest and temperature sensor and grip sensor yesterday, Ron. I've got a full schedule Monday but should know by the end of the day when the holes in the rest of the week will be. I'll call you then and will check out Vernier's site for labs on how to demonstrate the sensors. With the grip sensor we can have a strength contest between kids, and also graph how grip strength goes down after repeated attempts. Couldn't pick up a motion sensor so I guess we can't do "Barbie on a bungee"... Sad

I'll call you Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning... should be fun!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

The kids are going to love it!

Do you remember those action figures that you could squeeze and stretch?

I'll pm you about times and specifics.

Mad props!!!!!!!!!