Communities In Schools COMPASS mentoring Program is designed to provide at-risk students direction in their lives through use of the Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens materials and the guidance of a caring volunteer. We begin by asking the students about their dreams and aspirations. Every student involved in our program has been able to articulate a specific idea of what they wanted to do when they become an adult. Of course, there are a good number of boys who want to become professional athletes. My mentoree, Saul, wants to become a professional footbal player. We discuss the steps it takes to reach this dream and how his decisions can effect that future. First, he must make good grades and practice good health and fitness habits in order to play middle school and high school football. He must be dedicated to practicing long hours in order to achieve excellence and to display the character traits desired by college coaches. Then, he must play well enough to garner the attention of a college recruiter. From there, he must continue to excel in the classroom to maintain his eligibility while distinguishing himself on the playing field. While most children never recognize their dreams to play professional sports, the effort that they put forth in reaching this goal will benefit them regardless of their ultimate career destination. It is in REACHING for the moon that you land among the stars!The photo above is my personal "Band of Brothers & Sisters", fellow mentors carefully selected to make this Pilot Program work! The training and time committment to become a mentor is strenuous and not to be taken lightly, and we lean on each other ALOT! Now in it's second year, COMPASS has a diverse group of students and mentors, and we hope that by year 3 this will be a state-wide program!
No comments:
Post a Comment