New Program Connects Mentors to New Tech Students

A new mentoring program is connecting New Tech freshmen with experienced professionals to improve student success. The program is a partnership between Techpoint Foundation, Executive Service Corps of Indiana/Junior Achievement and Indianapolis Public Schools.

The program recruits mentors with diverse professional experiences including senior level managers, financial and legal specialists, patent-holding scientists, entrepreneurs, and practiced educators. Mentors provide positive adult relationships, emotional support and encouragement to students. Mentors work with students to improve grades and study habits, help explore career opportunities, assist in the preparation for postsecondary education, and build student confidence.

Selected mentors attend a two-hour training session and make a personal commitment to the program. The mentors work in small teams with a group of eight students and meet with them twice a month for one hour during the school day. Mentors have worked with students on setting goals, solving problems and communication techniques. Future mentoring sessions will include study skills, college admissions and costs, and potential career choices.

For many mentors, the program is a way to become more involved in working with youth and providing a service to the community. Ezell Moore, Jr., assistant director of the Office of Admissions at the University of Indianapolis, learned of this opportunity through the 100 Black Men organization. Moore has become a familiar face to many of the freshmen at New Tech High @ Arsenal Tech through his mentoring commitment and because he recruits Arsenal Tech students to the University of Indianapolis. Moore said, "I hope to help students understand the importance of decisions and the life-long impact they often have. As a college admissions counselor, I also can help students understand what they will need to be successful in college, and when they see a young African American face, perhaps I can give them hope."
                                                                                      
Aaron Radez, chief executive officer of CE Productions, is a young entrepreneur who has volunteered his time to connect with New Tech freshmen. A 2005 graduate of Indiana University, Radez remembers educators who had a significant impact on his education and the person he is today. Radez said, "I grow as much as the kids do and open my eyes to their experiences because it's very different from my own, and I am very excited about that."

At a recent mentoring session, Radez provided a description about how his employees in India produce a product using a project-based format similar to that used in the New Tech classroom that captivated students. Students eagerly questioned him about the education required to do this work.

Several businesses and organizations have recruited and provided mentors to the program. The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce has sponsored multiple promotional events to recruit mentors through their Common Goal Program, which is committed to improving high school graduation rates. Mentors also represent several organizations including the Orr Fellowship program, Community Health Network, Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Indians, Sheil Sexton, the University of Indianapolis, and others.

To become a mentor, contact Trecia Holloway, director of education for Executive Service Corps of Indiana, at (317) 252-5900 or e-mail tholloway@escindy.org.

 

CELL upcoming events

September 11, 2008
Indiana New Tech High School Network Meeting

September 18, 2008
Indiana Early College High School Network Meeting

November 17-18, 2008
Indiana Education Transformation Conference:
Responding to Tomorrow's World -
Breaking the Mold of Today's High Schools

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