Mentors Present to the State

Ann Jones, Lead Mentor and Administrative Assistant in YESS, recently presented a section of a training with DHS. She covered how to advocate for students in care within a school setting and how to work more effectively with DCFS and DJJS to provide the best educational outcomes for our students.

The USBE held a professional development training for all the mentors across the state. Our own Kim Domacilio, YESS’s mentor for the Cottonwood area, was asked to present the 5 Minute Mentor program that she developed for our district. Kim put together a book for each of our mentors that has small presentations or activities to do with our mentoring students when we meet with them. These activities help the mentors connect with the student as well as teach life skills that help each student be successful in school.

In her presentation, Kim presented one activity that could be shared with a student on a mentor’s first visit with the student. She told about Shrek the sheep. Shrek separated from his herd and was found 6 years later. Because no one had checked in with him, Shrek had grown 60 pounds of wool and could hardly walk and was very uncomfortable. She made each participant a wool bracelet that they could give to their student. This bracelet would remind the student that we are coming to check in with them to help them be comfortable and to help them succeed. Often students see mentors as simply “the grade/attendance lady” and this would remind students that we are checking to help them. Kim’s 5 Minute Mentor is now being shared across the state.
Way to go Kim!