Student mentoring in the Dubuque Community School District is defined as a one-to-one relationship between a youth and an adult that occurs over a prolonged period of time. The mentor provides consistent support, guidance, and concrete help to a student who is in need of a positive role model. Students involved in the mentoring program may be going through a difficult and/or challenging situation, a period of life in which they need extra support, or they may simply need to have another significant adult present in their life. The goal of student mentoring is to help students involved in the mentoring program to gain the skills and confidence to be responsible for their own futures.

An adult interested in becoming a student mentor must be someone who will be a positive influence in a child’s life. The most crucial role for a student mentor is to be an adult who has time for a child, who cares about that child, who believes in that child, and is committed to a long term relationship with the child. It is very important to know that the relationship between the mentor and the student may be the ONLY stability the child knows, and the only time anyone spends quality time with the child. Therefore, the district asks that a student mentor spend a minimum of one hour every other week with their child. This relationship between the student and mentor takes place during the school day at the child’s school.

• Engages in a positive relationship with the child.
• Gives attention to the child.
• Has a postive self-esteem about himself/herself.
• Reacts well to stressful situations.
• Tolerates frustrating situations.
• Listens well.
• Communicates on a level that the child can understand.
• Is stable.
• Provides leadership.
• Is a positive role model.
• Has an outstanding record of employment.
• Does not engage in alcohol or drug abuse.
• Meets on weekly basis with the mentee
• Shows up on time for sessions.
• Does NOT have a criminal record.
• Is willing to serve a minimum of one year in the program, hopefully more than that!
• Cares about helping a needy child.
• Is not a judgmental person.
• Is committed.
• Nurtures a relationship that respects the child’s dignity.
• Accepts responsibilities.
• Reinforces student’s success.

• Replace the role of a parent/guardian.
• Expect dramatic changes in attitude, self-esteem or attendance quickly. Mentor is a process that takes time!
• Provide solutions to all the issues facing student.
• Break the trust they have established, unless it is life threatening to the student.

1. Receiving the support and guidance of a caring adult.
2. Receiving assistance with academic endeavors.
3. Experiencing greater self-esteem and motivation to succeed.
4. Receiving encouragement to stay in school and graduate.
5. Receiving encouragement to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol.
6. Improving interpersonal relationships, such as with teachers and family.
7. Receiving assistance in choosing a career path.

1. Increasing their involvement in the community.
2. Recognizing they can make a difference.
3. Making a new friend.
4. Gaining new experience and knowledge about youth and the community’s schools.
5. Contribute to the quality of the future workforce

1. Fostering good community relations.
2. Contributing to the quality of the future workforce.
3. Improving employee morale.
4. Enhancing employee skills.

1. Improving student performance.
2. Improving student attendance.
3. Increasing student retention.

For more information about student mentoring, please contact:

Joseph Streit Student Mentoring Program Coordinator 2540 Central Ave. Dubuque, Iowa 52001 email: jstreit@dubuque.k12.ia.us
Phone # 563-552-3656

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... But the world might be a better place because I was important in the life of a child" - Author Unknown

Link here to special graphics you can use for your school's mentoring program

Becoming a Co-Pilot
By: Robert P. Bowman, Ph.D. and Susan C. Bowman, Ed.S., L.P.C

Here is a resource used by many of our schools as a part of their student-mentoring program. This book provides the mentor with everything needed to effectively maintain a positive and supportive relationship with a student. Student Mentors will find many activities that will help guide them through the mentoring process. In this comprehensive book, the mentors are referred to as Co-Pilots who help young student, referred to as the Pilot, to learn to "take off" and "soar to new heights" in their lives.

Activities to Begin Building Your Relationship

The above activity is available as a Word Document or a PDF file (you don't need Word to download, view and print it). Click on whichever file your prefer.

Icebreaker Activity

Click on this icebraker activity in Microsoft Word or as a PDF (Acrobat) file. This is a great way to learn about each other. The file contains two pages, one for you and one for your student.

To see a wonderful video clip of a Mentoring Program at Marshall Elementary, click here.