I Don't Do It for the Gold Stars, That's for Sure

Remember that mentoring program I talked about?
Yeah, I still run it.

But apparently, I run it in a vacuum.

To make a very long story short: The organization I run my program through has regional chapters that over see our county chapters. The regional chapters report directly to the national organization. Does that make sense? Good.... moving on.

My mentoring program is a sub program of the national program as a whole. We are considered a pilot program. Between my county and another, we have two very success programs that promote the same cause. We accomplish the same goeals while running our programs in entirely different ways, with entirely different sets of support. There is nothing wrong with either program. Let me stress that, we are both awesome!

Today, the other county chapter sent out a letter to recognize some volunteers and supporters. However, they sort of (okay, totally ) ignored that my program exsists. In fact, they took credit for being the only program that exsists. No, they didn't say that.... I think the words were "the only sucessful program in the coutry".

Only?
Successful?

Entire Country?


Yeah, that might fire me up a little bit.

I don't do what I do for the glory, there isn't any. I don't do it for the pats on the back either, there's none to be had. I do it for my students, for the doors it opens for them, for the experiences we all share. I do it because education is important to me, I do it because I want students who think they don't have a chance at being successful to learn that they are and that there's avenues for education for them too.

To not recognize that my program exsits is basically saying that these students don't exsist and trust me THEY DO.

I went to bat today. And trust me, when I go to bat, I don't strike out.

The same person that sent out the less then honest thank you letter inferred that I "my feathers were ruffled" and wrongfully so.

First of all Asshole, I don't have feathers. I'm a human, afterall.

Second of all. I'm not pissed for the sake of being pissed. I pissed because you failed to recognize that 26 student have graudated from this program with a significantly betterchance of success in life then they did prior.
And finally, I'm not the only person running this ship. In fact, there are 7 other mentors who deserve just as much if not more credit for what they do and the support they give. And trust me, they're pissed too!

I'm just the one who stood up and said something, as we all should do.
When the system in place is lacking, when students are failing just because they aren't given an opportunity to shine, when there's a need and no one to fill it, we should all stand up and say something.

So Mr. Jerk Face Extrodinaire- Don't tell me I'm missing the point. Don't tell me I'm not aware of all the factors. Don't tell me I my program doesn't matter. It most certainly does. And as long as there is fight left in me, I'll go to bat and I will fight.

So go ahead, just try and discredit my program again.
I'll show you ruffled feathers and trust me, they most certainly won't be mine!


PS- I just got elected to your little "board" and I'm going to make sure I sit directly across from you at EVERY SINGLE MEETING. You won't forget my program again and you most certainly won't forgot my students!

My Kids

Have I ever mentioned I run an after school mentoring program?     I do.

Tonight is our last night together, the final banquet.
Tonight, my students will get up in front for their parents and peers. They will talk about their experiences and they will show pictures of their events.

And I will be the proudest mama hen you ever did see.

This mentoring program is for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the construction industry. They students involves are smart, funny and witty. They come from diverse backgrounds, some drive to session in their own cars, some get dropped off my their parents or a friend, one even takes a taxi. Some have nuclear families, others live with their aunt or uncle or foster parent. They are all quick to participate, ready to ask questions and apply the knowledge they've learned.

Not a single one of them is interested in attending a four year college program, very few of them have solid plans after graduation. But with the help of this program, they get a better idea of what's in store for them and how to get involved in their career choices.

When I started this mentoring program, I wanted to teach the students about the opportunities available to them. I wanted them to know that learning doesn't stop at graduation, that success is determined by your drive, your tenacity and your motivations. I wanted to teach them that life is out there waiting for them, it's up to them to determine their own success.

I had no idea how much they would teach me.

In the past year and a half that I've been involved in this program I have learned that patience is a virtue, kids will be kids, and high school is exactly as I remember it: HELL.

I don't have children. But over this school year, I have come to see my students as my own. I challenge them to do better, I praise their accomplishments, I got misty eyed when the shyest of the group finally made some friends.

I also excel in embarrassing the pants off of them:
I had the opportunity to watch one of my students give a speech about his experiences in the mentoring program. When he finished, I have them a standing ovation.

 Does it count as an ovation if you're the only one standing?

A few weeks ago I accompanied another student to an award banquet. His Aunt couldn't be there so I stood in. And even though they instructed everyone not to clap until every student received their award. You better believe I hooted, hollered and made a scene when my student walked on stage.

I love my students. I love how much they've grown, changed and matured over the course of a school year. I love watching them apply the knowledge they learned in prior sessions to their current visit. I love when they ask question of their mentors, when they partner up into teams without me asking.

I hate when I catch them smoking in their cars before a session. I hate when they make poor choices or forget to show up.
What I hate the most?
I really hate that some of them don't have families or people who love them. I hate that they'll start their adult lives feeling lost, unsure of how to become an adult.

And for that, I try my hardest to give them every opportunity to learn about future careers. I introduce them to everyone business owner I can get them in front of and I give as much advice as I can to show them how to interview properly, how to write a resume and how to get in front of people.

They taught me how lucky I am. I always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up and I had the people to back me the whole way.

I hope I can be that backer for them. I hope when they aren't sure, they come to me. I hope that I can help them.

I love my kids.
I'm going to be one sad puppy tomorrow when they're gone.

But fear not, come October I'll have a whole new group to embarrass the pants off of. I can't wait.