Peer Mentoring

Most of us can think of people in our lives who supplied information, offered advice, presented a challenge, initiated a friendship, or simply expressed an interest in our development as a person. Without their intervention we might have remained unaware of a resource, neglected to consider an exciting opportunity, progressed toward a goal at a slower pace, or given up on a goal altogether.

Supportive relationships with peers and adults can positively impact the transition period following high school when a student's structured environment ends and precollege support systems are no longer in place.

Mentor Support

The term mentor comes from Homer's Odyssey, in which a man named Mentor was assigned the task of educating the son of Odysseus. Protégé (or mentee) refers to the person who is the focus of the mentor's efforts. Mentoring has long been associated with a variety of activities including counseling, role modeling, job shadowing, advice-giving, and networking.

Young people can be positively influenced by observing role models with similar needs successfully pursuing education and careers that they might otherwise have thought impossible for themselves. Mentors can help their protégés explore career options, set academic and career goals, develop social and professional contacts, identify resources, strengthen interpersonal skills, develop a sense of identity and competence. Information, guidance, motivation, resources, and emotional support provided by mentors can help young people successfully transition from high school into the less structured environments of postsecondary education, employment, the military and community living.

Benefits of mentoring include

Better attitudes toward school and the future
Greater feelings of academic competence
Improved academic performance
More positive relationships with friends and family
Increased feelings of accomplishment
Personal gain, such as increased patience, a sense of effectiveness, and the acquisition of new skills or knowledge
Mentoring is a win-win situation

Small Group Mentoring

At least in part because of a shortage of available adult mentors, group mentoring programs have emerged. Typically, in this model one mentor is assigned to a small group of young people. In group mentoring, mentors cannot provide as much individual attention to each young person as they might in the traditional one-to-one model, but positive outcomes can also be achieved as a result of participant interactions. Although, as with one-to-one mentoring, most group mentors want to develop personal relationships with protégés, they also promote positive peer interactions. Participants report that group mentoring helps them improve social skills, relationships with individuals outside of the group, and academic performance.

Peer Support

Peers can offer some of the same benefits to young people as mentors. Like mentors, peers can coach and counsel, offer information and advice, provide encouragement, act as sounding boards, function as positive role models, and promote a sense of belonging. Peers of the same age offer unique opportunities for sharing, are easier for participants to approach than adult mentors, and typically develop relationships that are longer lasting than those established with adults. While mentoring relationships are primarily one-way helping relationships, peer relationships offer a higher degree of mutual assistance, with both individuals giving and receiving support. Peers facing similar challenges related to their disabilities can share strategies to overcome disability-related barriers.

Relationships with individuals who are a year or two older than protégés, sometimes offers a powerful combination of the benefits of peer and mentor relationships. Peers and protégés can discuss issues such as how to communicate with teachers and parents and how to get along better with friends. In addition, peers can become empowered as they come to see themselves as contributors and role models.

Peer Mentoring

While Peer Mentoring can provide valuable support for students at critical points in their student life, it offers a host of other benefits for both mentor and mentee. Peer mentoring is a mutual way of learning and allowing both participants to develop transferable skills that will help them during high school and beyond.

Currently some peer and adult mentoring service is in place during lunch and after school Please check with Mr. Lee, Mrs. Pearson or your counselor as this service is being provided on a individual voluntary basis.

Assistance can be furnished at the request of a student, teacher, counselor, or parent.

Students must be willing to make a commitment to be an active participant in the mentoring session/s.

We are in the process of developing FPC's Peer Mentoring Program

Our goal this year is to train and activate 50 peer mentors at FPCHS.

The training is one-hour and focuses on effective mentoring techniques and communication skills.

Prospective peer mentors need to be able to show patience and the ability to give meaningful suggestions, praise and encouragement.
Peer mentors will have an adult coach for training and support and need to be prepared to learn the mentoring techniques and communication skills.
Peer mentors should want to help others and show compassion.
Peer mentors should be able to stay with their chosen mentoring time.
Peer mentors should provide support in areas in which they know and enjoy.

Benefits of being a Peer Mentee

Gain practical advice, encouragement and support
Learn from the experiences of others
Increase your social and academic efficacy and confidence
Become more empowered to make decisions
Develop communication, study and personal skills
Develop strategies for dealing with both personal and academic issues
Identify goals and establish a sense of direction for high school and beyond
Improve communication and personal skills
Develop leadership and management qualities
Reinforce study skills and knowledge of academic subject(s)
Increase confidence and motivation
Engage in a volunteering opportunity that fulfill community service hours
Benefit from a sense of fulfillment and personal growth

Peer Mentors not only have an opportunity to provide invaluable assistance to other FPCHS students, they also develop transferable skills, meet new people and gain some great experiences that will help them to reach their goals beyond high school.

Peer Mentoring is a voluntary scheme which is flexible, confidential, and fits around your availability and preferences.

Full training is provided, and is required for both mentees and mentors.

Students interested in volunteering as peer mentors are as asked to contact Ms. Pearson – 386-437-7540 ext. 1013 / pearsonp@flaglerschools.com