Why do I need to get a background check with CFB ISD?
Annual background checks are a requirement of the school district for all volunteers working with students on any school campus. The approval is valid from August 1 through July 31 of each academic year. Mentors will be advised on how to get the background check during the summer before the school year begins. A CFB ISD representative will email you if you have been approved. Please forward the email of approval to the AAUW Steering Committee Chair.
How much time does mentoring take?
There are usually 10 forty-minute mentoring sessions (one twice a month in September, October, November, January, February, March and April). At the first of the fall semester there is a brief Mentor Orientation session and an initial Welcome Back when you meet your Scholar, then later a Fall Forum (October), a Winter Seminar (January) and a Spring Forum (March) that are each 1 1/2-hour long, when all participants in the GEM program gather at Brookhaven to hear a scheduled speaker or program. The end-of-year Celebration Dinner is held in the early evening off campus at a local restaurant.
Your mentoring time, not including your transportation, will be about 7 hours mentoring, 7 hours for gatherings and the dinner program of about 2 hours. Roughly 16 hours total.
Do Mentors receive training?
Mentors will participate in at least one short event that addresses skills they can use and questions they have regarding working with their scholar. Mentors can also contact the Steering Committee with any questions they have during the year by phone or email.
What kind of questions should I ask as I get to know my Scholar?
A form will be handed out at the Welcome Back meeting that announces the theme for the year. It may suggest relevant topics and goals to discuss regarding that theme, e.g. study habits, roadblocks to focusing on schoolwork, 4-year college majors considered, career goals, self-actualization, knowing your weaknesses and polishing your strengths, and expanding your connections.
What do I tell my Scholar when she asks what having a Mentor means?
A Mentor is an adult who has experience with and values higher education. She is committed to your success in school by earning your high school diploma at the same time you are earning your two-year college degree. She is a resource for helping you make good academic decisions. Being in a mentoring program like GEM is a good item to add to your Curriculum Vitae, indicating your commitment to success. Your Mentor can also write you a character reference for college admissions.
Am I responsible for helping the Scholar with her homework?
No. A Mentor is not a tutor. If the Scholar has trouble with subject comprehension, you can refer her to on campus resources for academic help such as one of the counselors or tutors. Students should know that the ECHS counselor and teachers are dedicated to their success as well. If her problem is one of procrastination or anxiety, the Mentor might ask about her time management. A GEM goal is helping students learn to solve their problems. Tip for Mentors: Asking questions instead of providing answers helps these young minds to figure out solutions and seek help on their own!
Where do I meet with my Scholar?
The sessions are only 40 minutes and Scholars will have classes before and after that time. It is probably best to suggest the Scholar find a meeting place of her choice close to her class. The default time 11:40 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. is during Scholars’ lunchtime. Pick a place with a table and chairs that is away from distraction as much as possible. The only time Mentors and Scholars meet off campus is for the Celebration Dinner in May.
What day and time do I meet with my Scholar?
If Tuesdays don’t work for one of your pair, you can together choose a better time for the semester. Your schedule or hers could also change during the semester. If one of you cannot get to a certain scheduled meeting, that person should contact the other by email or message and set up an alternative time. Reasonable advanced notice is expected.
Am I responsible to bringing my Scholar lunch?
No. All ECHS students have a lunch available to them at the ECHS building, although many of them bring their own meal. The Mentor may decide to have her own lunch as well while they talk.
May I have activities outside of school with my Scholar?
As a rule, no. However, if something special is available, call or email the ECHS counselor to discuss arrangements. Parents must also be involved in this decision. In general, a Mentor should NOT take a Scholar in a private car due to liability issues. If the parents can provide transportation or can give their daughter permission to ride public transportation or drive her own car, an outside event might be possible.
May I give my Scholar a birthday gift?
Gift giving is discouraged because it can send different (and possibly unintended) messages to a Scholar and to her parents. It can also lead to the Scholars making comparisons between one another’s gifts. A birthday card or a written message can be personal and meaningful without setting up competitions.
What should I do if my Scholar cancels frequently?
Setting priorities and keeping commitments are important learning tasks for high school students. If you perceive a problem, at the next meeting with your Scholar, discuss how you handle your own scheduling conflicts, how time management is a skill that successful people must develop, and how you work on priorities. If the problem persists, please inform the Steering Committee through the online form and, if necessary, the ECHS counselor.
May we help them or advise them on scholarships?
Yes, we encourage our students to apply for as many scholarships as possible. If they come to you for help, of if you are aware of scholarship opportunities, please feel free to let her know. However, applying for scholarships is not the Mentor’s responsibility