Mentor Perspective

Being a mentor is a rewarding experience. The scholars’ desire to know more, do better in school, and to carve out a brighter future for themselves is fuel enough to get me at Center by 6 in the evening even after a long exhausting day at work. It is amazing to see scholars’ positive and bright attitudes when I know that many of them live in tough situations -- they provide me a deep insight into the promise they see within themselves despite the economic or social setbacks they face. It also makes me appreciate the opportunities I have had growing up and the opportunities afforded to me now as an adult.

But it is hard work. There is already a lot of work even before I set foot at center: download the evening’s literature lesson, review it, understand it, and prepare for it. And then during mentoring sessions, I need to be diligent and keep the scholars focused. I manage behavior, attention, and interaction among four spirited and bright young minds that are easily distracted by a side remark. Afterwards, there is deep reflection required to assess what they learned and what skills they acquired. When one adds up the time and energy expended to go through this process, it is more than 2 hours of academic mentoring work. But I go home inspired and fulfilled because on a nightly basis, I see my scholars grow and develop into fine young men. Each mentoring night, they become more confident and more diligent than the previous week.

The heart of Higher Achievement’s mission didn’t become real to me until after I started mentoring at the Ward 6 Achievement Center. I only have been Higher Achievement’s CEO for about four months when I began mentoring Nile, Ciara, and Lamonte in October 2006. Now, added to that group are Avery and Linstrum. And after two years, it often pains me to think that they will be off to high school after this summer. They have already given me much more than I can ever provide to them – on a daily basis they give me hope that there is a generation coming forward better prepared to address the challenges we face as a community. My mentoring them also provides me with the experience and context that makes me bolder in my effort to make Higher Achievement a stronger and a more viable organization. It is how my mentees are growing to become fine young citizens that tells me that Higher Achievement does have a niche in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to realize their full potential.

-Mr. Richard