MILLER MENTOR PROGRAM 

“Those having torches will pass them on to others”
~ Plato

Did you know that many children spend less than 30 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with an interested adult? 

Parents, grandparents, community members, and business persons are encouraged to become Miller Mentors in this school-based program. JUST 30 MINUTES, ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, MAKES A HUGE IMPACT IN A CHILD'S LIFE!

Local businesses, including Canadian State Bank, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, Yukon National Bank, and Yukon Fire & Police Departments,  have become mentors and friends to many Yukon Public School students. They understand that sharing their gifts of time and expertise is time well spent on the promise of tomorrow--our children.

Mentors foster students' self-esteem by engaging in one-on-one communication, assisting with reading, playing games, and most importantly, by being a supportive friend. 
Please take the time to give back. You will receive as much--& even more--than you will give. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE MENTOR PROGRAM:
Mentors serve as role models, providing support to empower and motivate students to succeed.

Mentors boost self-confidence and self esteem.

Mentors provide academic support, assistance, and guidance.

Mentoring facilitates mutually beneficial relations between mentor and student. 

Mentoring involves the community & school working together to empower students.

THE MENTOR'S ROLE: 
     Work with individual students. 
     Be a positive and supportive role model. 
     Be sensitive to the student’s need.


MENTOR/STUDENT ATTITUDE: 
Mentoring should be a positive experience for both parties. Occasionally,  this relationship becomes unproductive due to personality conflicts.  We will address these issues right away, to benefit the mentor and the student. 

MENTOR/STUDENT COMMUNICATION:
Mentors are good listeners, helping students express feelings and opinions with confidence. Your mentoring relationship can greatly increase a student's sense of security and self-confidence, thus building self-esteem.

MENTORING STRATEGIES THAT WORK: 
      Give immediate feedback, be it praise, or positive re-direction.

     Stay positive. Even when the student errs, accentuate the pluses over the minuses. 

     Be enthusiastic.  Students will take the cue from the Mentor.
        Tone of voice, facial expresssion, etc...convey interest & affect the student. 

     Model success. Provide the student with examples of acheivement & goal-setting.  
        Help students to see how you achieved your goals.


READY TO BECOME A MENTOR?
Visit the Volunteer Forms page to complete the necessary forms. Check our Calendar for an upcoming Mentor Orientation Meeting, or schedule an individual meeting with the Miller Mentor  Program Director, or a YPS school counselor.

To receive more information, please call the Helping Hands office at (405) 354-3716, or email the Program Director at  Christine.sorrels@yukonps.com  with "I WANT TO MENTOR" as the subject line.   You'll be glad you did!

The Mini Miller Nursery is open for children aged 18 months to 5 years of Volunteers & Mentors. 
You don't have to wait for your children to reach school-age to become a volunteer!

If you missed this years Mentor Orientation meetings, you can still become a mentor. Call today for a face to face orientation meeting.

The following dates and times were for the 2009-2010 MILLER MENTOR ORIENTATIONS:
Conducted by School Counselors and Christine Sorrels  
Myers -             Sept.   9, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Central -            Sept. 10, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
Shedeck -          Sept. 15, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Parkland -          Sept. 16, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Ranchwood -      Sept. 17, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Skyview -          Sept. 21, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Surrey Hills -      Sept. 22, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Lakeview -         Sept. 24, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.
Independence -  Sept. 24, 2009  -  1:00 p.m.