Near Peer Mentor Program

I was inspired by a colleague to use this platform to share the program's biweekly emails as a newsletter. My hope is to share happenings across the schools and the placements we serve and do more so through photos. As you know photos speak volumes. In addition, I encouraged last Friday during our time together, feel free to send me highlights, photos, shout-outs, and appreciation for anyone on the team or about the wonderful things happening around the mentor programming at your schools. I would love to feature it here in the biweekly newsletter. Let us continue to celebrate and uplift each other.

Also, this week's title is centered on "we're all drawing strawberries" to refer back to the team-building activity from last Friday. I hope folks are doing well and staying safe.

Warmly,

Jennie

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I also plan on featuring quotes in the newsletter to leave folks inspired. This one is from the Partner Teacher Spring Reflection.

"Watching my students bond with and TRUST [mentor]; receive direct support from him; feel empowered by him; take greater interest and pride in their studies in our class due to his example and enthusiasm."

- Partner Teacher

On Friday, October 14, 2022, the first College Coordinator and Near Peer Mentor gathering of the year took place. We had 16 mentors and four coordinators present and we collectively got to learn more about one another, share what brought us to this work, and brainstormed collaborative efforts for the year.

During the morning, one activity was individually drawing pieces of an image and then collectively assembling them back together to form the final photo (all groups were drawing a 🍓). Everyone was posed with the problem of not knowing why or how their own work affects the larger picture. Our intention with this problem-solving activity was for College Coordinators and Mentors to explore how to work in a team and demonstrates divisional-sized ‘departmental’ working, which is the understanding that each person working on their own part contributes to an overall group result.

Our hope is to convene once again in the springtime and towards the end of the school year.

At the October training last Friday, mentors were trained on knowing the differences and basics of the A, E, and I's (activity, energizer, and icebreakers). These will come in handy when mentors facilitate college and career exposure activities and identity workshops. They're also handy to have in everyone's toolkit because you never know when you'll need an icebreaker!

Last Wednesday, October 12th, mentor Cloie facilitated a Stress and Anxiety Management presentation to Benson juniors during PSAT/CCR Day. Cloie shared her experiences thus far as a first-time college student and tips she's tried to manage her stress and anxiety. Check out the video below that was featured in her presentation!

Mentor Eden at Jefferson High School facilitated a financial education workshop, The Price is Right where students learned about budgeting in college and costs related to college expenses. The students had such positive responses that they requested more sessions!

1. Opportunities for Collaboration Document: these were brainstormed at the gathering last Friday and I wanted to share them here. Feel free to take a look and follow through on the activities identified or be inspired by what other schools have planned.

2. College Coordinator Monthly Check-Ins: I will be scheduling monthly check-ins with College Coordinators starting in November so we can maintain connection and use this opportunity to track, maintain and explore mentor programming at their respective schools.

3. Program Supervisor Office Hours: Based on feedback, setting virtual office hours was helpful for folks so they're returning! I have blocked off weekly on Monday 1-2 pm and Thursday 11-12 pm for anyone who wants and needs to pop in to check in with me. You don't need to be invited, just search for my email on google calendar and click on the invite or click on whichever link below:

• Monday Invite: meeting link

• Thursday Invite: meeting link

4. Mentor Work Plans: as mentors are actively brainstorming their workshops or activities for this term and throughout the year, we encourage College Coordinators, Partner Teachers, and Mentors to review them together.

Angel - for making strides in his relationship with RHS mentors i.e. creating a community workspace, seeking mentor support w/ PSAT, and following up with mentor asks from school staff.

Mary Beth - for taking an active role in supporting her mentors at Grant. She’s taken every challenge with grace and care.

Aliera - for continuing to explore and advocate for what the mentor programming can look like at Lincoln.

Brittany - prioritizing time out of her busy schedule to participate in her first mentor interview for Jefferson!

Regina - creating a monthly calendar of Franklin’s mentor’s work schedule w/ periods and locations. This is shared with teachers so they’re fully aware of their mentor’s schedule.

Note: if you want to feature a shout-out, email them to jcha@pps.net or sifrison@pps.net

Simone Frison (she/her) grew up in Northeast & North Portland. She is a 2013 graduate of Roosevelt High School and Portland State University where she earned her Bachelor's in Child and Family Studies in 2019.

Simone is a returning AmeriCorps member to the GEAR UP program after completing her service in 2020, but before that, she was a Near Peer Mentor from 2014-2019. Simone is excited to be back to help refine structures and processes for the program and lead the planning of professional development for mentors.

When she is not working, she likes to get her nails done and spend time with her loved ones.

Esthera Magda (she/her) has been part of the GEAR UP community for more than seven years. She's grown as a leader in the multiple roles within our program, first serving as a mentor at McDaniel and neighboring middle schools in 2014! Esthera served as an AmeriCorps member last year supporting three high schools with the implementation of mentor programming. She's created communities, countless activities, and workshops in her time with us.

Most recently, Esthera is stepping into fulfilling a new role starting as the newest College Coordinator at McDaniel HS, a community where she's served most of her professional career. Esthera is a passionate, youth-driven, and critical thinker and we're so fortunate to witness her grow to continue impacting more students in her new role.

Friday, October 21 - Jefferson SRINQ Field Trip to Portland Art Museum

Tuesday, October 31 - Mandatory PPS Pepper Training Due!

Friday, November 4 - Teacher PD Day | No School for Students

Wednesday, November 9 - IYS Training re: Coaching for AmeriCorps

Friday, November 11 - Veteran's Day | No School/Work

Saturday, November 12 - Esthera and Jovanni's Bday 🎂

Monday, November 14 - NPM November Training & Student Survey Administration Training

Wed-Friday, November 16-18 - CCO Fall IST (AmeriCorps Out)

Monday, November 21 - James Bday 🎂

Monday, November 21 & 22 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 23-25 - Thanksgiving Break | No School/Work

TBD: NPM Fall Performance Assessment week of December 5 - December 9

All Mentors

NPM Public Folder 2022-23

NPM Policy & Procedure Manual

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

***General Resources***

Example of Mentor Calendar (Thank you to Regina for sharing this resource! This is a wonderful way to see which periods mentors are supporting and easily shared with teachers so they're aware!)

Jennie Cha

Program Supervisor | PPS | HS Academics

501 N. Dixon St. | Portland, OR 97227

971.678.9577 (office) email: jcha@pps.net

Simone Frison

AmeriCorps Member

sifrison@pps.net