The mentors understood their role in the Freshman Mentor Program and took pride in working with the mentees. They were able to relate to the mentees and provided guidance for them when necessary. The mentors created a supportive and comfortable environment for the mentees in order to help them deal with the changes and challenges of high school. The mentors in the Freshman Mentor Program felt their role included many different facets. Mentors expressed the importance of being a role model for the freshmen mentees. Along the same lines, the mentors felt it was important for them to help ease the transition for the mentees into high school and provide guidance for them along the way. Although the mentors developed relationships with the …show more content…
4. Develop evaluation tools for mentor programs and examine whether the tools help programs make the necessary changes to meet their goals.
The recommendations provided are based on the findings in the study and the suggestions for improving the Freshman Mentor Program at Largo High School as well as similar research studies. These recommendations may help others more effectively develop, execute, and evaluate programs in order to meet the needs of those the program was developed to serve.
Conclusion
Mentor programs are created in various types of institutions including educational programs, corporations, and the building trades. Although the programs may all have the common goal of helping mentees succeed, the pieces of each program are unique in order to meet the needs of those served. All of these programs have the ability to have positive effects on both the mentors and mentees involved.
When students begin their high school careers, they often think that the feelings of isolation they experience are unique to themselves. High school mentor programs have the ability to create a sense of belonging and security for students who might otherwise go unnoticed in high school. It is through the contact that the mentors have with the mentees that connections and friendships can be made that have the ability to last a lifetime. In creating effective, caring mentor programs, schools have the ability to make a lasting impact on …show more content…
The program needs to be flexible and willing to make changes over time. Students only get one shot at high school. Mentor program participation can have a positive influence on the mentors and mentees and help students develop lasting relationships with students who look out for each other’s best interest. Mentor programs must never lose sight of who they were created to serve. Mentor students have the ability to change the way mentees view their high school careers. Time and energy should be spent selecting mentors who want to make a difference, training mentors to enhance effectiveness, and evaluating mentor programs in light of their