I hope you've been finding warmth in your interactions with students and coworkers. It has been a cold month, but also a month where I've been so grateful to work with people who bring me a lot of joy. The month of December has been flying by and I feel like time has gotten away from me. Our program is wrapping up for this fall term and getting ready for the winter. A highlight has been visiting more teachers and mentors, checking in on how the term is going, and getting our AmeriCorps members steeped in the program. It has truly been two months of learning and trusting.

This newsletter will cover the month of November and December and we'll pick up the newsletter again when we return in January! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break and get some well-deserved rest.

Warmly,

Jennie & GEAR UP Team

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The quote for this week to leave folks inspired is from the 2021-22 report where Mentors spoke about their relationship with their Partner Teacher.

“We were always on the same page and passionate about what we taught so everything felt natural.”

We were fortunate to place our near-peer mentors inside of schools as early as September 1st while for some schools it took a bit more time. Nonetheless, we're proud of all the mentors and teachers in addition to the College Coordinators for making magic happen. It has been wonderful to witness strong partnerships between teachers and mentors strengthen and stories from mentors of their positive relationships with students. While there were some challenges this year with placements, we're hoping to address challenges for next term. Below is a recap of the current near-peer mentor program from the September-November timeline.

Note: This term, Ida B. Wells did not have any mentors or partner teachers. Our plan is to hire and find placement for the winter term. As for Lincoln, we had some mentor changes which delayed services to students and teachers.

Mid-November, we hosted our bi-monthly training focused on facilitating and best practices with our near-peer mentors and the TOSAs. Our goal was to equip mentors with the skills and practices on how to effectively facilitate college and career readiness exposure workshops and activities in the classroom. During the workshops, mentors worked collaboratively to practice writing workshop objectives based on their desired goal of the workshop. Infused throughout the training were activities, energizers, and icebreakers led by our very own mentors. It was a fulfilling and insightful training and hopefully, mentors can put some of what they learn into use inside the classrooms. Check out some of the highlights below!

Our training has been in collaboration with Education Northwest's Institute for Youth Success.

On December 9th we had approximately 250 students at Jefferson and McDaniel High Schools completing our Student Voice survey! TOSAs have been supporting classrooms by facilitating an opening activity, with extra help from other GEAR UP team members who answer students' questions and encourage them to share their voices about the classroom. This week before winter break, survey administration took place at Franklin HS and will be taking place at Roosevelt, Benson, and Grant.

None of this would be possible without our fabulous Partner Teachers—so on behalf of GEAR UP, we just wanted to say THANK YOU for elevating student voices!

And below are some graphics we created from the data during the 2019-20 school year.

Mentor Alondra facilitated a two-part workshop with her ELL students focused on personal finances, specifically around budgeting. During this workshop, Alondra had students learn how to create their own planning budget and how to manage it. As students begin working their first or second jobs while in high school, it is beneficial to know how to budget. This is a skill that will be useful when they get older and make more money.

This term, we oriented Gemini and Erick into the mentor program. They are both Bachelor of Social Work students who will fulfill their internship with us as near-peer mentors. Gemini will be joining the Roosevelt team and Erick will join the Jefferson team. We're excited to have them both begin starting in the winter term.

1. Winter Hiring: we are holding a winter hiring for specific schools (Ida B. Wells and Alliance) and filling in slots at McDaniel High School.

2. Shadowing Opportunity: we're hosting Shadowing Opportunities for our new mentors this year so they can observe and follow current mentors in their work. While we work on the Shadowing Tool this means we're pushing this shadowing until January. One of our staff members will reach out to mentors to review the tool once finalized.

3. GEAR UP Staff Potluck: come join us for our very first staff potluck this year on Thursday, December 15th, at the district office (PESC, 501 N. Dixon St) from 2-3:30 pm. Jessaca and her team have sent out information and invite to you all. We'd love for you to join us. If you are working at a school, you will be excused for the time. There is a White Elephant activity if you choose to bring an item either from home that you no longer have use for or if you buy something then keep it at $15. We look forward to seeing you there!

Partner Teachers: For your commitment to creating inclusive, supportive classrooms where youth voice is central by taking the opportunity to administer the Student Survey. We hope this becomes a valuable instructional tool for you and your mentor. Also, thank you for the support to keep the opportunity to have mentors available for teachers across the district. Hope you all have a well-rested break.

Jonathan, Kayla, Dat, Daniel, and James: for participating in the December coaching session with IYS's Lena. You all were energized and engaged and kept the coaching session going with positive energy. The Training Team thanks you five!

Mary: your leadership and community-oriented heart keep our program grounded. Thanks for stepping up to support Noel's schools while she's on maternity leave.

Partner Teacher Elizabeth Cole: the way you are so intentional by positively encouraging and highlighting your students in all your classes is really admirable. Keep up this amazing and inclusive practice.

TOSAs Steve, Shannon & Jessaca's Evaluation Team (Wendy & Savanna): Many appreciations for your coordination of the student survey at all the schools we support. This administration could not have been possible without your leadership and communication to ensure support are at the schools.

Wednesday, November 28-December 16 - Student Survey Administration period

December TBD - Britney and Jenny's Career Exposure Activity & College Panel

December 1st - Alondra's Financial Education Workshop

December 5th, 6th and 9th - NPM Coaching Session with IYS

December 5th-16th - NPM Fall Self-Assessment

December 14th - GEAR UP Staff Potluck @ PESC from 2-3:30pm

December 19-30th - Winter Break | NO WORK

All Mentors

NPM Public Folder 2022-23

NPM Policy & Procedure Manual

NPM Personal Folders (mentor work plan in their individual folders)

***General Resources***

• Feedback Circles: a tool on how to provide feedback to your peers and colleagues

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Picture Credits:

1. Group photo of the Near Peer Mentors posing in front of Alberta House (JC)
2. Graphic of a poster asking what makes a successful learner (JC)
3. Mentor Ana and McKahan (JC)
4. Mentor Carlos and Gypsy (JC)
5. Mentor Ashley and Sam (JC)
6. Facilitation Best Practices (IYS)
7. Photo of IYS facilitator Lena Fox amongst a room of mentors (JC)
8. Graphic of I AM and I AM NOT responses from the 2019-20 SY (TDIP)
9. Mentor Alondra facilitating a workshop (NS)
10. AmeriCorps member Simone with new mentors Gemini and Erick and Americorps member Maria (SF)

Jennie Cha

Program Supervisor | PPS | HS Academics

Monday Office Hours 1-2pm: meeting link

Thursday Office Hours 11-12pm: meeting link

AmeriCorps Members

• Simone Frison | sifrison@pps.net
• Maria Felix-Pedro | mafelixpedro@pps.net
• Rakiyah Perry | rperry2@pps.net

Email: jcha@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/Page/14862
Location: 501 North Dixon Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 9971-678-9577
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009266612916
Twitter: @gearuppps