Mentor Program Expands
to Foshay Sophomores
The mentoring program in Foshay Learning Center's Academy of Finance brings nine business partners into
the classroom to guide and advise 36 high school juniors. The program doubled this school year by adding as many mentors to work with sophomores. Mentors follow their students to the next grade level.
"Mentors give the students an
overview of how to succeed, with hands on ways of dealing with time management and
life choices; and they send the message that success is in the students' grasp," said Cheryl
Gonder, lead teacher at the school's Academy of Finance. "Having a connection with another adult, in addition to
parents and teachers, gives a student contact with more caring adults," Gonder
added. She has been a Career Academies
teacher for 8 years in the Academy of Finance, but 2009-2010 marks her first as
a lead teacher.
Foshay students work on resumes
Mentors from the business community
follow a curriculum created by
Academy teachers, but bring their own ideas to mentoring
sessions as well. Gonder sites one mentor, an engineer, who offered tips on taking
the PSAT to his sophomore students to help them prepare for the up coming test.
Another mentor, a business consultant, created his own
organizational document to teach students how to set and reach goals.
 Greg Christman mentors a group of students
Greg Christman, USC religious
director, student mentor, and marathon coach, is pleased to be returning for a second year to mentor
students. "They are eager to understand the world," he said,
"and this provides them with a real opportunity where they can bounce
questions around." Christman says many of their questions are focused on
careers, and he often points them in the direction of the right resources if he
doesn't have the answers. When students' career goals do not connect with their
grades, mentors help students understand what they will need to achieve in order to reach those goals.
"Being around high school
students in South L.A. is a two way street," Christman said. "I help
expand their perspectives, and they help shape the way I lead and
influence others in the future."
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| Perhaps there was a mentor in your life who made a difference in the decisions you made. If you'd like to give back by mentoring a high school student, we can help make that happen. Please contact us.
Sincerely,
Mark Karaptian & Marilyn Alvarez
Program Director Program Manager
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