Mentor Stories

I occasionally hear humorous or heart-warming (and sometimes a little heartbreaking) stories about someone’s Mentoring experience. I’ve posted a couple here, but there are undoubtedly countless stories to be shared. If you have a story you think would be appropriate to post on our “Mentor Stories” webpage, please send to me. Of course, names will be changed to protect the identity of the student and the mentor. You can write them up and mail to me at the Board of Education Office, or email to me at schlipja@qps.org.

Jackie Schlipmann

Mentor Coordinator

Sometimes, Mentors learn a few lessons from students…

Mrs. L. didn’t know what to expect when she volunteered to be a mentor. She was matched with a second grade boy. Throughout the year, they learned lots about each other. Mrs. L. learned that “Justin” had trouble writing his letters, doing math and reading and that he loved to play football and ride dirt bikes.  He learned that Mrs. L. liked to play the guitar and eat chocolate.  He also learned that Mrs. L. would not “let” him win at the game of “Connect Four” just because he was in second grade and she was a grown-up.  (After all, a grown-up should be able to out-strategize a second grader, right?!) Mrs. L. always told him she would not let him win so he would learn how to play the game properly.  If he won it was an earned win and one that would be sweeter because he would win for real. 

They played “Connect Four” during their last mentoring session before summer vacation.  This day, Justin had won two games and was one move away from winning a third time when (obvious to Mrs. L.) he intentionally put his game piece in the wrong slot so she won instead.  She reminded him that he should “play to win,” to which Justin replied, “Mrs. L., sometimes you don’t play to win, you just play to have a good time.”

Mrs. L. says she learned something that day:  A second grader can be pretty wise, that “my way” isn’t always the best way and that sometimes you don’t play to win but you play to have a good time. 

Mentoring gives us opportunities to see things through a little different lens...

A 5^th grade teacher contacted me just a few weeks ago hoping to get a mentor for a student in her class. “David” was struggling with getting assignments turned in and there were some sad family circumstances; the teacher felt he would greatly benefit from a male role model. I knew one of our mentors had been hinting to her recently retired husband that he should become involved too, so I sent her some information on David, hoping to help sway him our way. Mr. G. agreed to mentor David, and was hooked right from their first meeting. He immediately started wondering what he could get David for Christmas (Mrs. G. is pretty sure he hadn’t even begun to think about what to get for her!)

I was talking to Mr. G. recently, and reminded him that the time he was giving was a wonderful gift to David. Mr. G. told me how much David has in common with his own grandson (same age, similar physical characteristics). But, he realized right away a big difference between them; compared to Mr. G’s grandson, who is afforded many opportunities and is “given everything,” David has so little.

(By the way, Mr. G. – die-hard Cardinal fan that he is – gave David a Cardinals stocking cap for Christmas!)

Special thanks to a good friend...

During National Mentoring Month, we want to extend a special thanks to Norma Seckman Tushaus. Norma has supported the Mentor Program for a number of years and frequently attends our Mentor Appreciation Luncheon. The Mentor Program is a cause that’s near and dear to Norma’s heart. She wishes there had been a program like it when she was growing up because of her own personal experiences and struggles as a child. Her commitment to the program ensures that it will be here for our students now and for years to come. We’re blessed to have her as our special friend.