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Spotlight on Mentoring

MentorWorks May 2012 Program of the Month

For the past eight years, Lane Elementary School has committed to, and grown, a mentoring program which matches staff members to students who would benefit from this special connection.  Since its inception, it has expanded under the leadership of Rachel Hoover, from 8 participants to over 30 students and staff members.  Adherence to Best Practices, including mentor training and year-end assessment, explains much of its success. It is, however, the ongoing dedicated work of Rachel and the Lane Elementary School staff  members who choose to mentor that has sustained this meaningful  program. Weekly mentor and mentee meetings have resulted in an improvement in attitude, classroom participation, and even grades.  It is the mentors and the mentees that best describe the significant nature of this program.  One teacher mentor stated, “Being a mentor reminds me of working in my garden – I  nurture and tend to the flowers and then take so much pleasure in watching them grow and blossom.”  One third grade mentee shared, “It gets me through my work and makes me say I can do this because sometimes I shut down and she helps me; she generates me back up.”  MentorWorks is pleased to recognize the Lane Elementary School mentoring program as the “MentorWorks May 2012 Program of the Month.”  

 

April 2012 MentorWorks Mentor of the Month

MentorWorks is pleased to announce that Ashwin (AJ), a junior at Lee High School, has been selected as the April 2012 MentorWorks “Mentor of the Month.”   AJ has participated in the Powerful African American Males about Success (PAAMAS) mentoring program for two years.  Marcella Fulmore, who coordinates the program and submitted his nomination, states that he has demonstrated leadership by planning activities and facilitating group mentoring sessions.  In addition to playing basketball and focusing on his grades, he has found time to make a meaningful connection to his mentee at Springfield Estates Elementary School.  MentorWorks is pleased to recognize a student mentor who has such a positive impact!

 

March 2012 MentorWorks Mentor of the Month

MentorWorks is pleased to announce that Rachel White, science teacher at Herndon Middle School, has been selected as the March 2012 “MentorWorks Mentor of the Month.”  Ms. White was nominated by the Herndon Middle School assistant principal, Karyn Niles, who co-coordinates the program with after school specialist Mike Thomas.    Ms. Niles states, “Ms. White is a perfect example of what a good mentor should be.”  Katia, who is mentored by Ms. White shares, “I’m so happy I have her; she made me a better person.”   MentorWorks is proud to recognize school staff members who have such a positive impact!

June 2011 Mentors of The Month --West Potomac High School

MentorWorks is pleased to announce that three outstanding peer mentors from West Potomac High School have been selected as the June 2011 MentorWorks Mentors of the Month. Seniors Roberto, Daniel and Denzel have served weekly as mentors for the Bucknell-West Potomac Mentoring Partnership. Together they have logged over 120 hours of service and have gone “above and beyond” to support their elementary school mentees. MentorWorks is proud to recognize such individuals who have such a positive impact!

Powerful African-American Males About Success (PAAMAS) mentoring program

Powerful African-American Males About Success (PAAMAS) is a mentoring program coordinated by Marcella Fulmore, a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) social worker. PAAMAS was the recipient of the Blue Ribbon Mentoring Program Award at the Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools Celebrate 2011 Business and Community Partnerships awards program held on May 23, 2011. The ceremony, hosted by George Mason University, featured Dr. Jack Dale, FCPS Superintendent and Ms. Kathy Smith, Chair of the FCPS School Board, as award presenters.

The PAAMAS program partners Lee High School students with students from Springfield Estates Elementary School. Now in its fourth year of service, PAAMAS has distinguished itself by helping the mentees improve grades, increase attendance, and develop strong social and communication skills, as evidenced by the end of year evaluations.

Essay Contest Winners

Six students were honored as winners of the countywide 2011 “Mentors Make a Difference” essay contest. The winners and their mentors were recognized and featured in a video which was shown at the “Celebrate Partnerships” event on May 23, 2011, at The Mason Inn on the George Mason University campus. The following students were recognized for their achievement: Analia, Columbia Elementary School; Julianna, Westbriar Elementary School; Daryl , Luther Jackson Middle School; Jasmine, South County Secondary School; and Rasikhah and Keisha , Lee High School. The Apple Federal Credit Union presented each winner with a savings bond.

Their mentors, Kris, Amber, Larry, Maria, Katherine, and Suquesta, were also recognized for their contributions to the students.

View video >

 

 

May 2011 Mentors of The Month -- Westfield High School Peer Mentors

MentorWorks is pleased to announce that Westfield High School Peer Mentors have been selected as the May 2011 MentorWorks Partner of the Month. Fifty four Westfield students mentor weekly at Deer Park Elementary School and are credited with truly “making a difference” in the lives of the students they work with. Under the leadership of teachers Chuck Hoskins and Chris Eanes, these fifty four students have assisted their elementary mentees in many ways. Coordinators from Deer Park, Peggy Van Cleave and Lee White, share that even when ill, mentees don’t want to miss their coveted visits with their high school mentors. MentorWorks is proud to acknowledge the positive impact of this peer mentoring program!

April 2011 MentorWorks Mentors of the Month -- Joshua Jenkins, Jamel Johnson, Darrell Patterson, Demond Richeson and Brandon Washington

MentorWorks is pleased to announce that five outstanding mentors who participate in Lee High School’s peer mentoring program have been selected as the April 2011 MentorWorks Mentors of the Month. Joshua Jenkins, Jamel Johnson, Darrell Patterson, Demond Richeson and Brandon Washington are members of the Powerful African-American Males About Success (PAAMAS) Mentoring program and support students on a weekly basis at Springfield Estates Elementary School. They have distinguished themselves by their consistent reliability and respectful demeanor . The mentor program coordinator reports that these five young men have encouraged and motivated their elementary school mentees. They are involved in the needed planning for each mentor/mentee meeting and enthusiastically assist their mentee both academically and socially. MentorWorks is proud to acknowledge such a positive impact.

March 2011 MentorWorks Mentor of the Month -- Michael Hardy

MentorWorks is pleased to recognize Michael Hardy, Technology Support Specialist at Lorton Station Elementary School as the “March MentorWorks Mentor of the Month.”

For the past two years, Mr. Hardy has taken time each week to mentor a fifth grade boy. His dedication and commitment have helped his mentee adjust and succeed at his new school. The student himself recognizes this impact and has stated, “He really wants me to be successful.” The mentor program coordinators at Lorton Station Elementary School, Kellie Lee and Christine Young are most appreciative of Mr. Hardy’s efforts and are excited by the positive results they have witnessed.

Matt Pearce presents at MentorWorks Meeting

Matt Pearce, Mentorship Program Coordinator from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), shared how TJHHST’s unique mentoring program is implemented and managed. His informative talk at the MentorWorks meeting, February 8, 2011, walked attendees, both school personnel and business leaders, through the program’s process. This program, which matches students with a professional mentor, enables the student to have first-hand experience in a scientific or engineering environment to enhance their knowledge base, their research skills, and their work related interpersonal skills. This opportunity benefits the student by enabling him or her to concentrate on research or project development in a specialized field under the leadership of professionals in the scientific and technological communities. Ongoing coordination between the student, the mentor, and the school ensures success!

Peer Mentoring Conference 2011

Students from West Potomac High School and Lee High School, who mentor elementary students, participated in the second Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Peer Mentoring Conference held on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at West Potomac High School. The opening session included a video of West Potomac High Schools’ award winning mentoring program followed by a student panel. The high school mentors then participated in breakout sessions designed to refine their mentoring skills. Hassan Mims, Kristen Woodward and Nancy Colfax were special presenters.

Peer mentoring in FCPS has been successful in promoting responsibility and providing leadership opportunities for older students while offering younger students a chance to relate and learn from more mature students. The conference was coordinated by social workers Carrie Jones and Marcella Fulmore, psychologist Bethany Koszelak, and MentorWorks specialist, Shelley Prince.

January 2011 MentorWorks Partner of the Month

For many years, Fairfax County Public Schools employees located at the Nancy F. Sprague Technology Center have taken the time to mentor elementary school students at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Jennice Johnson and Kasey Cain, Annandale Terrace Elementary School’s mentor program coordinators, report that the mentoring staff members have promoted self-esteem, pro-social behaviors, and happier students overall! Not only do the personnel from Nancy F. Sprague Technology Center warm the hearts of the school community via their mentoring, they also help the students stay physically warm during the cold winter months by contributing hats, mittens, and scarves. This commitment and show of care has resulted in their selection as the “January 2011 MentorWorks Partner of the Month.” MentorWorks is proud to recognize these efforts and the positive impact they have had.

Mentor of the Month

June 2010

Jazmier Williams, the MentorWorks June Mentor of the Month, is a senior at Lee HS. He has been mentoring as part of the PAAMAS (Powerful African American Males about Success) program since his junior year. He has demonstrated leadership skills as he plans and facilitates the weekly mentoring sessions with Daniel, his Springfield Estates ES mentee. Marcella Fulmore, who nominated Jazmier, reports that he brings “energy and life to the mentoring process and is a definite role model for the elementary students.” She continues to say he has been a “committed and responsible mentor.”

April 2010

Dana Hirsch, a Special Education teacher at Bonnie Brae Elementary School, has been selected as the MentorWorks April 2010 Mentor of the Month.  She was nominated by the school’s  mentor program coordinator, Chris Stunkard.  Chris reports that Dana’s mentoring relationship with two students for two years has helped them feel comfortable and successful at school. The students say “We always have fun together.” “She has helped me reach my friendship goal.”   Her commitment and dedication have resulted in this honor!

March 2010

Ryan, a senior at Lee High School, has been selected as the March 2010 Mentor of the Month.  Ryan participates in the Powerful African American Males About Success Mentoring program (PAAMAS) which is a Peer Mentoring program between Lee High School and Springfield Estates Elementary School.  The program is coordinated by social worker, Marcella Fulmore,  and she states that Ryan  motivates his mentee to grow socially, to be a more responsible student and to become a productive young man.  She reports that as Ryan encourages his mentee to succeed he too has made tremendous strides.

January 2010

Alaina, a Junior at West Potomac High School has been selected as the MentorWorks Mentor of the Month for January 2010. She was nominated by the program coordinators, Bethany Koszelak and Carrie Jones.  Alaina has volunteered in the school’s Peer Mentoring Program for three years and has mentored the same student  during that time. The coordinators report that Alaina provides academic support and has built an “amazing relationship” with her Bucknell Elementary School mentee.  She encourages her mentee to make good choices and to be accepting of others. Her dedication to the Peer Mentoring program and her mentee truly “make a difference”.

Peer Mentoring Conference

On January 11, 2010, school social workers Carrie Jones and Marcella Fulmore, school psychologist Bethany Koszelak and MentorWorks Specialist Shelley Prince collaborated to host the first FCPS Peer Mentoring Conference. Attendees were approximately 70 students from West Potomac and Lee High Schools who have been mentoring elementary school students on a weekly basis.  Welcome remarks were delivered by a student mentor and special guest, Esther Berg, VP Communications of America’s Promise. The Improv Troupe performed and led a discussion.  This was followed by breakout sessions which focused on mentoring and problem solving skills. Student mentors left the half day conference armed with new ideas and strategies to enhance their mentoring relationships.

June 2009

Carol Robinson, educational planning specialist in the FCPS Department of Accountability, has been selected as the FCPS MentorWorks June Mentor of the Month.  Robinson has mentored a group of sixth grade girls for the past three years at Pine Spring Elementary.  According to nominator Mary Durgala, Robinson has provided emotional, social, and academic support for the girls and is easy to talk to.  The students praise Robinson for having a positive influence on their academics and helping ease their anxiety about moving on to middle school.

April 2009

Donna Franklin, Coordinator, Information Technology has been selected as the April 2009 "FCPS MentorWorks Mentor of the Month". She was nominated by Annandale Terrace Elementary School’s Mentor Program Coordinator, Kasey Cain. Kasey reports that Donna has "gone above and beyond in her role as a mentor" Donna has mentored at Annandale Terrace for two years and now has two mentees. Both girls look forward with great enthusiasm to Donna’s visits and the fun activities she does. These include games, scrapbooking, lively conversation and assistance with school projects. In addition to her commitment to mentoring, Donna has donated much appreciated books to classrooms. Congratulations to Donna for this well-deserved recognition! 

Outstanding Mentor Award

February 2009

Fairfax County Police Sgt. Nichols was presented the Outstanding Mentor Award from Virginia Mentoring Partnership at their awards luncheon in Richmond on February 12.  His almost 10 year association and commitment to mentoring FCPS students  as well as his initiatives to encourage other officers to do the same, resulted in this prestigious recognition. Teachers and staff members have often reported the positive impact he has had on their students and the connection he has helped establish between schools and the community.   He has been an admirable role model and a dedicated participant in our schools and our mentor programs. Details.

Partner of the Month

February 2009

For the past three years, students from West Potomac High School have been mentoring students at Bucknell Elementary. The program which is coordinated by Carrie Jones and Bethany Koszelak has grown to over 50 high school mentors this year. Each Wednesday for 1 ½ hours after school, West Potomac students help first through sixth graders with their homework and engage in special activities including art projects and even attending a varsity basketball game Staff from Bucknell and Matt Toothaker, a government teacher at West Potomac who volunteers his time to assist the program, report that the high school students serve as positive role models for their younger mentees. MentorWorks is proud to acknowledge the efforts of these Peer Mentors and the positive impact they have had.

January 2009

Coldwell Banker Realtors of Vienna has been named FCPS MentorWorks first Partner of the Month. As a partner with Louise Archer Elementary over the past five years, Coldwell Banker staff members have read, played educational games, participated in school activities, and taken the time to have meaningful conversations with their mentees. In addition to serving as mentors to individual students, the Coldwell Banker staff members have donated warm winter clothing to local charities and encouraged students to think of others, resulting in a letter writing program to wounded soldiers and donating gifts to people who are less fortunate than they are.  

Mentor of the Month

March 2009

Shelly Carney, a master control specialist at Sprague Technology Center, has been selected as the FCPS March Mentor of the Month. Shelly was nominated by Kasey Cain, the mentoring program coordinator at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, for having “creatively come up with ways to engage and connect” with the shy second grade student she mentors. She recently brought in a digital camera and, with her mentee, took a number of pictures at the school.  Shelly also donated and delivered presents to Annandale Terrace during the holidays. Congratulations to Shelly for being named March Mentor of the Month.

January 2009

Will, a senior at West Potomac High School, has been selected as the FCPS Mentor of the Month.  This is Will’s second year as a mentor for a student at Bucknell Elementary School. Carrie Jones and Bethany Koszelak who coordinate Bucknell’s mentoring program report that Will helps his mentee with homework and support him in other activities.  They indicate he even dressed as Santa and volunteered on a Saturday during the school’s book fair.  Juaquan, Will’s mentee, has been positively impacted by his connection with Will. Juaquan’s teacher, Kathryn Ngo states,” Juaquan always looks forward to Wednesdays.  Around 2:55 on a Wednesday afternoon, he is almost bouncing out of his seat because he can hardly wait to go to mentoring…….Since starting mentoring, Juaquan seems more self-confident and often understands his homework, especially math more – not to mention it is more complete than it has been in the past.”   Juaquan enthusiastically states, “Mentoring is great. I get to hang out with Will.  He helps me with homework and he plays basketball.” Congratulations to Will Kreger, who not only excels at mentoring, but has maintained a 3.14 GPA and plays on the varsity football and basketball teams!

December 2008

Ms. Jennifer Min, the December Mentor of the Month was nominated by Suzanne Sousa,  Thoreau Middle School’s Mentor Program Coordinator.  Ms. Min, a FCPS school psychologist, is not deterred by her busy professional schedule;  she manages to find time each week to meet with both a 7th grade and an 8th grade mentee. Suzanne reports that “Mrs. Min has a way of building respectful relationships with her mentees’ and demonstrates care and interest which has helped them succeed.   She communicates with their teachers, reinforces school goals, and  has been able to make connections between the classroom and real life experiences.  Ms. Min truly demonstrates what Dr. Dale said at the Leadership Conference:  “Relationships Count!”

2008 Mentor Coordinators Conference

On March 20, 2009 MentorWorks Mentor Program Coordinators gathered to learn strategies to effectively evaluate their mentor programs. Carol Hoffman, Counselor from Poplar Tree Elementary School presented "It’s in the Data" to an attentive group eager to learn useful ideas to track, evaluate and present outcomes of their on-going programs. They explored several strategies to demonstrate the benefits of the mentoring connections in their schools. The attendees all appreciated Carol sharing her expertise on this important topic. Special guest Jay Garant, Coordinator of Business and Community Partnerships updated the group on activities in his department.

Peer Mentoring Focus Group

Peer mentoring coordinators and special education staff members met on February 22 to share best practices. This focus group was convened in an effort to expand social inclusion and peer mentoring clubs that support our students and the Fairfax County Public Schools student achievement goals. Participants collaborated to help define guiding best practices, propose a mission statement, and identify strategies to sustain and grow programs. Next steps include the formation of a steering committee which will build on the foundation set at this first gathering.