What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a caring adult helping student create a social connection. Social connections are instrumental in students feeling like they belong and are valued. A mentor helps them resolve problems, and helps students work to accomplish their social and academic goals. A mentor meeting is the ‘bright spot’ in a student’s week and something you both look forward to.
How often should a mentor meet with their mentee?
Mentors meet once weekly with students on campus for about 30-45 minutes. Meeting times are scheduled by the campus counselor as we take your schedule and the student’s schedule into account.
Can I meet with my mentee after school or on weekends?
Wylie ISD’s mentoring program is a school based program. However, some mentors have been together long enough where a connection has developed outside of the campus. The campus counselor can help you navigate this territory as each situation arises.
Can I email or text my mentee?
Remember, our mentoring program is a school-based program. All contact with your mentee should be during your designated mentoring time. If you would like to share your contact information with the student, please reach out to the counselor to get their feedback. Giving your contact information, the student has access to you 24 hours a day. You will have a legal responsibility to notify appropriate authorities of concerns regarding a minor.
Can I mentor more than one student?
Initially, we would like the mentor to begin with one mentee. A mentor may request additional students once he/she has become comfortable with the schedule/routine.
What if the mentoring relationship doesn't seem to be working?
It's important to identify any difficulties with the mentoring relationship as early as possible. Then discuss these difficulties with the Campus Counselor and try to resolve them with open, honest, and respectful communication. The Campus Counselors are available to offer guidance and support to mentors and mentees as needed.
If it is determined that the chemistry between mentor and mentee is not working, then arrangements will be made to assign the mentor another mentee and the mentee another mentor. Joley Martin will be contacted by the campus.
One of the key elements of a healthy mentoring relationship is the establishment of trust and mutual respect. In order to foster this, please aim to be reliable and punctual for meeting arrangements and give reasonable notice if you need to change an arrangement.
How do I become a mentor?
It’s easy! Simply complete the two-step process on our website. You will need to watch the MENTOR program orientation, complete the mentor application, and authorize a background check. Once your application is submitted, you will be contacted by Joley Martin, Family Liaison, to connect you to a campus and student.
What does the application process entail?
Just two simple steps:
Completing online video training
Completing an online application & background check
