TEMPLE, Texas — More than 100 Temple Independent School District fifth and sixth graders met their new mentors as the district hosted its Wildcat Mentors kickoff event on October 7th at the Ralph Wilson Youth Club. The Wildcat Mentor program pairs students with volunteers from the community and school district to provide companionship, support and positive role models.
The Wildcat Mentor program is now in its 13th year and is returning to in-person mentoring with Thursday’s event. The program moved to more of a virtual or pen-pal format last year due to COVID restrictions. Mentors met their students for the first time on Thursday to share a meal and some fun during the event.
“This program means a lot to our students. They look forward to having an additional positive role model where they can have meaningful conversations as well as set long-range goals,” said Yara Thomas, student support specialist for TISD. “I believe the students and mentors receive a friendship that can last for years to come. It is also a way in which students learn how to give back to the community, just as their mentors are giving back to them.”
Mentors are expected to spend at least two hours a month with their student and the program’s mission is to develop one-on-one relationships and support efforts to empower students to make positive choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential. The program also serves to provide students with regular and consistent contact with trusted adults, emphasize the value of learning and provide academic support and encourage educational and vocational exploration and provide information about opportunities in higher education. Mentors may also help increase student exposure to a variety of social, educational and cultural enrichment activities, improve motivation and achievement regarding school, work and the future and provide reinforcement and support regarding student’s accomplishments and decisions. While the students reap most of the rewards from the program, the mentors also grow from the experience.
"I love seeing the community come alongside Temple ISD to support our mentees,” said Kristi Burke, chair of the Wildcat Mentors program. “Having heart to heart conversations with the students is the most rewarding part of the program. The mentors receive just as much, if not more, than the mentees.”
To learn more about the Wildcat Mentor program or to volunteer to serve as a mentor visit the TISD website at www.tisd.org, click on the community tab and then select Wildcat Mentors from the drop-down menu.