Almost every discussion about schools touches at some point on the questions of resources.   Questions are asked and comments are made regarding the adequacy of funding available to schools. While the subject is important, I understand a building principal has little input into the funding he will have to sustain operations.  Maybe the district office will consider a proposed budget from the principal, but I suspect even then the budgeting process will be more an exercise in shuffling a predetermined amount of money allocated to the school.
I have been thinking about the subject of resources, and getting more of them, while accepting the notion that more money from the district will not be forthcoming based on any request that I make. In our first meeting with Cohort 1 a member of my small group talked about a tutoring program he initiated in his school whereby sixth graders and matched up with younger students, usually first and second graders, to enhance reading performance.  Some of the benefits of the program included not only more reading time for the younger kids, but also mentors and mentees developed very close relationships.
The discussion with Cohort 1 left me wondering what additional resources remain available to tap within the student body.  I have been thinking for some time that an in school mentoring program would be one of those avenues for enhancing whatever the financial contribution is that comes from the district.  Having heard from a Cohort 1 member that he has implemented just such a program is encouraging.  I am thinking through now how that program could be structured in my school.  The topic I'm considering now presents the question, what would a successful mentoring program look like?  Developing the structure and monitoring of the program will come later.  

Comments

  1. Kyle MillerAugust 3, 2017 at 6:59 AM

    Tim, this is a great topic! Middle schools in Columbus have instituted a very successful mentoring program called WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) where 8th graders are trained and developed to mentor 6th graders. 8th graders run the 6th grade orientation and meet with 6th graders on a regular schedule in groups of 2 mentors with 8-10 6th graders through the year. Here is their website: http://www.boomerangproject.com/middle-school-transition At every middle school, this was once a required practice, though I don't know if it is still practiced everywhere. The boomerang project website also has a high school program, but I don't know much about it. It is called "Link Crew". In elementary school, I taught in a building where every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class was paired with a K, 1, 2 class once a week for "Buddies" where they served as mentors, social role models, and (quite often) tutors. Maybe that will give you some free and low-cost options to get started.

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  2. T. A. CornuteAugust 3, 2017 at 7:26 AM

    Tim, mentoring is a special topic to me. I think a successful mentoring program depends on the context of the school and your vision as the leader. I believe you should consider structuring your program first and include your staff to help with that process. Whenever you have that type of buy-in, you will be set up to win because the onus is not yours alone.

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  3. UnknownAugust 20, 2017 at 11:14 AM

    I'm not sure how to cross-link posts, but we're also employing the mentorship principals mentioned here by Tim, Kyle and Tai, when working on the alternative pathways to graduation legislation at my school.

    https://brightprogram2018.blogspot.com/2017/08/ohio-expands-options-for-students-to.html

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