News Archive Peer Mentoring at the Senior School Proves to be Win-Win
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Peer Mentoring at the Senior School Proves to be Win-Win
For the second year in the row, the Senior School has offered a peer mentoring program, matching Levels III through V students who are skilled in certain subject areas with younger students who need assistance. The program was developed to address the needs of any Grade 6 to Level II who require support, but not necessarily tutoring. Recruiting for mentors takes place throughout the year, though the push for participants occurred during the fall, when a workshop explaining the expectations of mentors was given. Peer mentoring takes place in three blocks: from September though December, January through March and from the end of March to June. The mentors and the younger students meet one-on-one twice a week for 30 minutes, or once a week for 60 minutes. And the mentors must commit for at least one term. In total, 24 mentors signed up for the 2008-2009 school year. In addition to helping the students with specific subject areas, the mentors also offer strategies on note taking and studying, time management and agenda organization. But according to Shari Loke, Learning Strategies teacher at the Senior School, the benefits go both ways. The older students learn leadership skills and develop a strong rapport with the younger students for whom they are also role models. They also learn how to explain concepts in different ways, to adjust to the learning styles of the younger student. Said Ms. Loke, “The mentors have learned a lot about themselves as teachers and as learners. They’ve seen the progress the student has made because of their help.”
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