Girls Empowered by Mentoring
Farmers Branch Carrollton AAUW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to get a background check?
Annual background checks are an expectation of the Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD for all volunteers. The approval is valid from August 1 through July 31
of the next year. If you are going to mentor, by mid-August you should apply for a background check at the following website:
https://cfb.tx01.teams360.net/volunteer/EntryPointHomeAction.do.
A CFB ISD representative will email you that you have been approved. Please forward that approval to the AAUW Steering Committee Chair.
How much time does mentoring take?
One and a half hours twice a month. The Early College High School staff has arranged that the scholars will be available on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
What kind of questions should I ask as I get to know my student?
A form is supplied for you both to use upon your first meeting. The scholar might share her academic goals, her strengths and interests, or her challenges.
My student asked what having a mentor meant. What do I tell her?
A mentor is an adult who has experience with and values higher education. This woman is committed to your success in school, in getting your high school diploma at the same time as your two-year college degree. She is a resource for helping you make good academic decisions. In some cases, being in a mentoring program will be a good item to include on your Curriculum Vita, indicating your commitment to success.
Do we get any training? How much time does it take?
Mentors will participate in at least two events that address skills they can use in working with their scholar. These events are during the workweek, usually during lunch.
In addition, the C-FB ISD provides a Volunteer Handbook that outlines the expectations of a volunteer anywhere in the school district. Not all the information relates to being a mentor, but you can get a good sense of the role of the volunteer:
https://cfbisd.edu/wp-content/uploads/206/09/Volunteer_Handbook_English.pdf or https://cfbisd.edu/wp-content/uploads/206/09/Volunteer_Handbook_Spanish_14_15.pdf
Am I responsible for helping the scholar with her homework?
No. A mentor is not a tutor. However, if the problem is subject comprehension, it is helpful to have conversations about what resources are available for academic help. Students should know that the ECHS counselor and teachers are dedicated to their success. If the problem is one of procrastination or anxiety, the mentor might ask the student about her time management. A G.E.M. goal is helping students learn to solve their problems. A tip for mentors: Try to ask questions instead of provide answers.
Where do we meet? Where are some suggested places to meet? Can we walk around the school trail or do we need to stay close by?
Meeting places can vary, as long as they are on the Brookhaven College campus. A good place should have as few distractions as possible so that a focused conversation can occur.
Do we only and always meet at school?
We have an end-of-year activity that will meet off campus. Otherwise, plan to meet your scholar on Brookhaven’s campus.
What if I can’t make it the day of a meeting?
As soon as possible, contact your scholar and the ECHS counselor and leave a message. See resources below.
What should I do if my scholar cancels frequently?
Setting priorities and keeping commitments are important learning tasks for high school students. If the mentor perceives a problem, at the next meeting with the scholar, she can discuss how she handles her own scheduling conflicts, how time management is a skill a successful person must develop, and how she thinks about her own priorities. If the problem persists, please inform the ECHS counselor.
When talking about college, should we concentrate on steering the girls to state schools or elsewhere?
This decision is the scholar’s choice. Focus on the requirements of the colleges that they are interested in (SAT scores, grades, class rank). If they don’t meet the entrance requirements for the colleges they are interested in, talk about a plan to make that happen.
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 with scholarships or if you are aware of scholarship opportunities, please feel free to assist your scholar.
Am I responsible for bringing my mentee lunch?
No. All ECHS students have a lunch available to them although many of them make their own arrangements.
May I have activities outside of school with my mentee?
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 convey a scholar in a private auto due to liability issues. If the parents can provide transportation or can give the scholar permission to ride public transportation or drive her own car, an outside event might be possible.
Who do I contact if my student shares concerns about sexual abuse, bullying, dating violence, alcohol/drugs, parental neglect or abuse? Am I obliged to tell someone? What if my student wants me to keep something secret?
Mentors should be aware and convey to their scholar that they cannot keep secrets. By law, an adult must report abuse. The first contact for that report should be the ECHS Counselor.
Resource People
Niki Fisher, ECHS Counselor, 972-986-6250 fishern@cfbisd.edu
Timothy Isaly, Principal, 972-986-6260 isalyt@cfbisd.edu
Delryn Fleming, GEM Advisory Chair, 214-457-5944 delryn@verizon.net