BBBS in-school mentoring proves positive for students

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Rosanne Lake

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PART ONE OF THREE

EMC News - Meghan Pankow is only able to sit in the library at Queen Elizabeth Public School for a few moments, before several young girls run over and throw their arms around her neck in a bear hug. They're on their way outside for the noon-hour recess, but saw the Grade 12 student slip into the quiet room and now they're excitedly talking with her about the activities they'll do together this week.

Pankow is a co-operative education student from St. John Catholic High School involved in the In-school Mentoring Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. The program involves mentoring at a child's school, on an individual basis for one hour per week.

She meets with six students, ranging from Grade 2 to 4, individually once a week at Queen Elizabeth. They do crafts, play board games or just sit and talk, depending on the mood of the student that day.

"It's very rewarding for them, and for me as well," she said. "It's so important for them to have a trusting friend they can rely on. Since we started, their attendance and academics have improved, some girls are more social and I can see that it has boosted their confidence levels."

Rhonda Low, of BBBS of Lanark County, said the In-School Mentoring program is the fastest-growing program within the organization.

She said that in the Perth and Lanark area alone, there are 38 students benefitting from the In-School Mentoring program. County wide, that number increases to 57 students in total.

Low said she receives encouraging feedback from mentees, parents and even principals.

"The outcomes of just spending that one hour a week with a student are dramatic," Low said. "Our mentees are able to form a fun and trusting relationship with the mentor and that has such a positive impact on their lives."

Miranda Tysick has seen that first hand. She's a Grade 12 student at Perth and District Collegiate Institute who is also on a co-operative education placement as a mentor in the program.

"The kids seemed really nervous around me at first, but that disappears quickly when they realize that you're there to focus on them, talk with them, and do activities with them," Tysick said. "Some kids don't get that chance for one-on-one attention anywhere else in their lives."

Tysick works with eight different children at both The Stewart School and Glen Tay Public School.

Jeanna Quattrocchi has had a similar experience during her time with eight students at St. John Elementary School with the BBBS In-School Mentoring program.

"It seems so little, just that one hour a week of one-on-one time with a student, but it's quite surprising how much they value that hour," Quattrocchi said.

She's a Grade 11 student at SJCHS, and has also seen the six boys and two girls that she interacts with grow leaps and bounds over the semester. "They've improved a lot in terms of self esteem and social behaviour," she said.

Shantel Bingley has seen that during her placement at The Stewart School, too. The Grade 12 student at PDCI is matched with five students: three boys and two girls. Bingley said the difference in her students is tangible, noting that the children get excited even anticipating their hour spent with her.

All four of these high school co-operative education students want to pursue careers in the social service sector, whether in counselling, social work or working closely with children who need assistance. All also agree that this placement has been a perfect fit for their future aspirations.

Pankow said it has also taught her how important programs like the BBBS In-School Mentoring program are in making a monumental difference in the lives of young people. "Seeing the smiles on their faces and how much they look forward to the visits really puts that into perspective," Pankow said.




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