9th
Mentorship - The Missing Link in Mass Schooling
by Brian Geremia
Mentorship abounds.
Business executives mentor junior associates; elder siblings mentor younger ones; experienced teachers mentor student-teachers; and veteran athletes mentor rookies.
It is curious, then, why mentorship has not entered the educational conversation as a worthwhile pedagogy. Yes, some teachers do their best to mentor students (many don’t, though), and standout teachers open their doors after school, moderate clubs, and attend school events. These are the teachers student’s remember; they invite them to graduation parties, write them thank you letters, reference them in college entrance essays, and strive to be like them.
Unfortunately, standout teachers are just that—standouts. They are not the norm and cannot be manufactured regardless how rigorous and structured the teacher credentialing processes is. Most students will be lucky to encounter even one standout teacher throughout their education; even fewer will be lucky enough to develop a meaningful relationship with one.
This is unfortunate.
Thankfully, Academic Impact (Ai) provides opportunities for these engaging relationships to develop through its academic mentorship. In addition to helping students excel academically, Ai’s mentors inquire about extra-curricular activities, encourage hard work, wish students luck on important endeavors, and congratulate meaningful accomplishments. They treat their student holistically, embracing the student’s nuanced interests and preferred learning methods. When addressed as a person who brings valid knowledge and perspective to any given situation, rather than a mere student, real education and transformation occur.
Thus, Academic Impact sees mentorship as the basis of educational practice.
