March is Mentor Month and Battle Academy is starting a new program to match mentors with their students. WUTC Feature News Producer Rabbit Zielke interviewed Battle Academy Principal Saunya Goss, Instructional Facilitator and Technology Coordinator Katie Hetrick, and parent volunteer Andrew Kean about the new program.
“It never hurts to have an adult figure in a child’s life that gives them that little bit of extra attention. It helps build confidence and get them excited about their education,” Zielke said.
The program seeks to pair local volunteers with students for thirty minute sessions once per week throughout March with the hope that volunteers will decide to continue throughout the year. The goal is to provide time to bond, get to know one another, and inspire the child in their academic pursuits.
“I want people in the community to understand the value and the importance of what we’re asking them for. There’s a lot of research on mentoring and the benefits that it provides; they’re more likely to go to college, more likely to come to school, more likely to have better grades, and more likely to have better self-esteem and communication skills,” said Goss.
Volunteers would participate as mentors for students in 2nd through 5th grade, doing simple things like reading, playing games, or just talking with students about their day at school.
“We hope they develop a bond, either spending time having lunch, reading a book, or playing a card game where the professional gets a chance to maybe discuss their craft or just to be there for the child and to discuss their interest and spend time with them,” said Hetrick.
To listen to the full story, visit WUTC.org.
If you would like to volunteer as a mentor email Katie Hetrick at hetrick_katie@hcde.org or call 423-209-5747. You can also sign up to mentor at causeway.org.
