Frequently Asked Student Questions
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a healthy relationship between a more experienced person and a younger person. To be mentored means that you have someone who cares about you and is willing to share his or her knowledge and skill. Remember, a mentor is not like a teacher or parent. He or she is a friend that will help you have fun at school.
How frequently do mentors and young people get together? Where do they meet? For how long?
Mentors and students meet for one hour each week, usually after school. They meet on school grounds or engage in up to five off-campus activities, which are governed by Grand Area Mentoring’s off-campus policy and always include another adult.
How long am I expected to commit to the mentoring relationship?
GrandAM expects you to participate for one year.
What sorts of activities do mentors and young people do together?
You may play, talk, do arts and crafts, or learn about new board games. You might want to visit a website or demonstrate a skill that you have mastered. Feel free to share the problems and excitements of the day. You can also ask your mentor for help with projects, homework, or other school-related tasks, but mentoring is supposed to be fun. Your mentor wants to get to know you, so share things about yourself like your favorite subjects at school, your dreams for the future, or challenges you face. You and your mentor may want to do up to five off-campus activities per year, but your parent must give you permission, and you must follow all our off-campus rules.
How do I get the relationship started? Does GrandAM help me?
First, you the mentor coordinator, Megan McGee, will train you about mentoring. She will explain the rules and help you know what to expect. Once your parents have given permission, the relationship starts with a facilitated first meeting. The mentor coordinator goes over some programatic details and then facilitates an activity or two. Usually you and your mentor will then spend the second half of the first session playing a game or doing arts and crafts. The getting-to-know-you process is done in a fun and relaxed manner. Thoughout your relationship, GrandAM offers support and drop-in assistance. Contact us or a teacher if you have any questions or problems.
(grandareamentoring@gmail.com or 435-260-9645 or 435-259-1516)
Do you train and prepare the mentors too?
Yes. Mentors are thoroughly oriented and trained. They know what the rules are and expect you to treat them with respect and care, just as you want to be treated. Remember, what you tell your mentor will be kept in confidence unless it represents a danger to you or others. If your mentor thinks you are in danger, he or she will tell program staff.
What happens if I run into a problem with a mentor? What if we don’t get along? Can I quit? Does GrandAM offer any help?
If you have any concerns or questions about your relationship with a mentor, contact Megan or your teacher. Megan can be found in the HMK office or reached by phone at 260-9645. We will help you fix your problem, big or small. Remember, you must contact us if anything feels wrong, dangerous, or uncomfortable. If you don’t get along with your mentor, we can make a switch.