Spark Mentor Orientation
2013
Welcome: Agenda & Objectives
Agenda:Welcome ApprenticeshipsThe Student ExperienceClose
Objectives:Understand the mentor role and expectations Identify and discuss approaches to working with middle school studentsConnect with fellow mentors to share ideas and provide support
Welcome: Why Become a Mentor?
Introduce a student to your career and field
Rediscover your passion for your profession
Invest in your community
Connect with like-minded individuals in Spark’s network of professionals and partners
Engage in the conversation of education reform and attend exciting Spark events
Apprenticeships: The Mentor’s Experience
Apprenticeships:Goals & Expectations Apprenticeship goals:
To help your student learn about him or herself To connect with your student To introduce your student to your career and
career possibilities for them Every session should:
Include a hands-on activity related to your field Represent progress towards your Discovery
Project Address how what you’re doing relates to your
student’s education and social & emotional development
Apprenticeships: Session At-a-Glance
Week 1-2 Get to know each other Introduce student to office & various aspects of your
work Week 3-4
Brainstorm and plan for Discovery Night project Set goals & milestones for project
Week 5-8 Encourage student ownership of project Goal of each session should be related to milestone
Apprenticeships: A Day in the Life
3:00–3:15pm: Check-in
3:15–3:30pm: Review and goal-setting
3:30–4:15pm: Activity one – learning a new skill
4:15–4:45pm: Discovery Project work time
4:45–5:00pm: Reflection and next session planning
Apprenticeship: Activity Ideas
Apprenticeships:Spark Staff Support
Your Program Coordinator will connect with you weekly to provide support
Make sure you set aside 10-15 minutes each week for this important check-in
We will also ask for your feedback in a survey at the end of the session
You have the opportunity to check in with a Mentor Coach as well
Apprenticeships: The Student Experience
Apprenticeships:Mentor Responsibilities
Mentors are responsible for facilitating a safe, engaging, educational
apprenticeship experience for students.
Apprenticeships: Mentor’s Responsibilities
Student Safety & Expectations Workplace site clearance Food/ Gifts Media Release/ Social Media
Communication with Spark Staff Rescheduling/ Student Attendance
Student Transportation Waiver SAP Support
Preparing Apprenticeship Activities & Final Project
The Student Experience:Engaging Middle School Youth
Middle School students have a desire for self-expression and self-determination
A preference for hands-on learning that is personally relevant
An expanding awareness of social, cultural, and environmental issues
A growing concern for peer approval
A sense of awkwardness and self-consciousness associated with the onset of puberty
www.in.gov/indot/files/TipSheetEMSS.pdf
Scenario 1: Quiet Student
It is your first day meeting with your student. He comes into your office and
won’t look you in the eyes. When you show him new things about your job, he doesn’t
say anything. When you ask him about school he just says “it’s fine.” He seems
bored and unhappy.
What do you do?
Scenario 2: Expectations Mis-Match
You are a fashion designer and are very excited about an activity you have planned for the day. When your student arrives, you ask her to look
through the books and magazines in your office, choose five famous fashion designers, and write
a paragraph about what they like about each designer. As she starts to do the activity, it
becomes clear that she is having trouble reading the articles and her writing skills are very weak.
What do you do?
Scenario 3: Unclear Actions
On your sixth meeting, your student is working on her Discovery Night Project, and
you get an important call. You leave the room for five minutes, and when you return she quickly hides something in her bag. She
seems flustered and embarrassed.
What do you do?
Scenario 4: Inappropriate Question
On your third meeting, your student asks if you have ever used illegal drugs. This
makes you uncomfortable.
How do you respond?
Scenario 5: Undocumented
When you tell your student about the trip you took to Europe last year, she responds by telling you that she can’t go to Europe
because she doesn’t have the right papers.
How do you respond?
Scenario 6:Student Safety
Your student tells you that if he is late for dinner his mom will hit him. It’s hard for you to tell if he is joking; his mom seems nice, but he also came to his apprenticeship one
day with a bruise on his face.
How do you respond?
Scenario 7:Travel Logistics
Part 1: You are expecting your student to arrive at 3pm today. At 3:30pm your student
has still not arrived. You try calling your student’s cell phone number, and it goes straight to voicemail. What do you do?
Part 2: Your student calls you at 5:30pm and says they’re sorry they couldn’t come today. When you ask why they didn’t attend, they say something came up. What do you do?
The Student Experience:Strategies for Engaging Middle School Youth
Ice Breakers!
Be Clear & Consistent
Be Open
LISTEN
Share
HAVE FUN!
Keep It Interactive
Be Safe
Authentic Learning
Student Voice & Choice
Relate Learning to Student’s Life
Discovery Night
Welcome to the Spark Team!
Questions???