Education Concepts
Mentorship Opportunities

Peer Mentors

The Education Concepts peer-mentoring program seeks to match younger students with older students in hopes of developing a relationship to provide guidance throughout adolescence into adulthood. Through this relationship, peer mentors not only provide advice to the younger students, but also serve as role models by providing emotional support and aiding in personal and professional development. Some challenges that may face those being mentored could include social issues, problems with schoolwork, and/or family issues.

Expectations of a Peer Mentor: A peer mentor is expected to provide a positive influence for the mentee, always setting an example for the mentee to follow. A peer mentor should always:

  • Be open and honest with the mentee
  • Serve as a support system
  • Have a relationship with the family of the mentee
  • Exhibit an open door policy to mentee
  • Be dedicated to the overall mission of the peer mentoring program

Every peer mentor and mentee will have to make a minimum time commitment in order to produce an effective mentoring program. It will be imperative for peer mentors to communicate regularly with the family of the mentee.

Parental approval is required to take the mentee to events not approved by Education Concepts. Mentors are expected to respect, support and uphold parental rules and concerns for their children at all times.

Community/Professional Mentors

What is Mentoring? Mentoring is a way for knowledgeable adults with a variety of life experiences to share their experiences with young adults. A mentor develops a relationship with the mentee in hopes of providing guidance throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Through this relationship, mentors not only provide advice to the younger students, but also serve as role models by providing emotional support and aiding in personal and professional development. Some challenges that may face those being mentored could include social issues, problems at school, and/or family issues.

Criteria for becoming a Community and/or Professional Mentor

  • Must be over the age of 21
  • Must be a college graduate (Associates degree or higher)
  • Must be active in community and/or church organizations
  • Must be interviewed by a member of the Education Concepts staff
  • Must be willing to communicate and meet with mentee at least once a month
  • Must pass a criminal background check

Expectations of a Mentor: A mentor is expected to provide a positive influence for the mentee, always setting an example for the mentee to follow. A mentor should always:

  • Be open and honest with the mentee
  • Serve as a support-system
  • Have a relationship with the family of the mentee (if applicable)
  • Exhibit an open door policy to mentee
  • Be dedicated to the overall mission of the peer mentoring program
  • Work with mentee to identify life goals and developmental needs

Every mentor and mentee will have to make a minimum time commitment in order to produce an effective mentoring program. It will be imperative for mentors to communicate regularly with the mentee.

 

 

Benefits of Mentoring

A successful mentoring relationship benefits those involved through increased confidence and a sense of direction.

When done correctly, mentoring programs have a proven track record of impacting the lives of underserved youth, particularly those with issues stemming from school, community, and the household.

Studies have shown that youth involved in mentoring programs are less likely to experiment with drugs and are more equipped to deal with peer pressure.

Mentors will feel a sense of self-reward and satisfaction in the fact that they have impacted the life of their mentee.

Mentors are given the chance to enhance their coaching and leadership skills and may gain exposure to new perspectives from the mentee.

Mentors will have unknowingly helped the personal and professional development of the mentee by equipping them with life skills and helping them value relationships.

Interested to help? Please apply

Mentor Application
PDF 1.8mb

Other Resources

Mentoring Resource Center: Building Effective Mentoring Programs in School
PDF 38 kb

Educational Opportunity Program: Power of Peer Mentoring
PDF 153 kb