Mentoring
You probably had at least one mentor - if not several - who had a strong influence on where you are today. We all deserve a Gandalf or Obi-Wan Kenobi to guide us down our path.
Why Mentoring
Research has proven that mentoring provided through a structured program has positive outcomes across social, emotional, behavioral, and academic areas of youth development. In fact, the longer the mentoring relationship lasts, the greater the value for youth.
Students who meet regularly with mentors have better school attendance and a better chance of attending college. They also maintain better attitudes of school and even take more challenging courses.
Your Goal
Our goal as mentors is to serve as a guide or facilitator for our students so that they are driving their learning, asking questions, and finding resources / answers to continue moving forward in their projects. Although it can be easy to simply give answers or type in the correct command, we encourage mentors to ask their students about their challenges, what they have already tried or considered, and have their students reflect on their approach thus far. Plus, it’s always a good idea to encourage students to ask for help from their peers to see if other students have come across similar challenges.
You serve many roles as mentor, including coach, friend, academic/college advisor, positive role model, and co-learner.
Building Positive Relationships
The first few weeks of the program semester is your chance to start creating positive, caring relationships with the students and even your mentoring team that you can build on for the rest of the semester.
Here are some pro tips to make it a success:
- How to Be an Amazing Mentor
- Getting to Know Students
- Working Well in Mentoring Teams
- Classroom Management
Volunteer Recognition
Bold Idea volunteers are rockstars. Many people give tirelessly of their time and energy to ensure young students are empowered to execute their bold ideas as a team through technology. At the end of each program semester, we honor volunteers who consistently go above and beyond in this mission. Our awards are nominated by students, volunteers, parents and staff members. We are incredibly grateful for the passion, expertise and hard work that every volunteer brings to Bold Idea.
- Outstanding Mentor Award : The Outstanding Mentor Award honors volunteers who exemplify the qualities of a mentor to its highest standard and work diligently to deliver the Bold Idea mission.
- Ignite Award : The Ignite Award honors volunteers who go above and beyond to ensure success at a Bold Idea program site. Widely recognized as program assets, their level of preparation, attention to detail and care for everyone involved does not go unnoticed.
- Volunteer of the Year : Volunteer of the Year recognizes an individual who made a broad and impactful contribution to the Bold Idea organization, its programs and its success for a program year.
- Float Like a Butterfly : Float Like a Butterfly honors volunteers who are great at filling in where we need support. They don't hesitate to lend a hand as a mentor at a program site — and the next week coordinate activities at a community workshop.