Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Kavita Thapar, a mentor at three Spring Branch ISD schools, enjoys helping her mentees realize their potential, believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.

She has mentored Valeria, a 7th grader at Spring Branch Middle School, since last year as part of the SpringBoard Mentoring Program. Valeria has a variety of interests such as photography and carpentry projects in wood shop. 

In the future she dreams of being a photographer, a hair dresser or a veterinarian! 

As her mentor, Thapar helps with assignments, especially in Language Arts where her current grade has risen to a 93. Valeria feels more confident academically and socially as the relationship with her mentor has grown.

“I can express more of myself,” said Valeria. Her mentor has also helped her learn to respectfully speak with her teachers and other adults, and to advocate for herself. 

Thapar also mentors a sophomore at Spring Woods High School. “Stephanie is doing very well in high school,” she said. “She is focused on college, and wants to attend Texas A&M to be a math teacher.”

“I see such a big difference in me,” said Stephanie. “She [Thapar] has shown me to never give up and keep trying, because one day I can make it.” 

Thapar has helped this mentee develop a love of reading, and she has raised her grade from a low C to a high A in Language Arts. The mentoring experience has also helped Stephanie gain an appreciation of volunteering and helping others.

“I see myself as a mentor in the future,” said Stephanie.

Watch an interview to hear a little more about Stephanie’s experience.

This amazing mentor has also recently started mentoring three juniors at Memorial High School as part of Collegiate Challenge, a program to help juniors and seniors prepare for college applications and financial aid. Since helping her twin daughters (2019 SBISD graduates) get admitted to Baylor University, Thapar has many tips and experience to share with her Collegiate Challenge mentees.

Thapar stresses the importance of being organized with each of her mentees. A technique she has shown them, that worked well for her daughters, is to use a white board and markers at home to write down weekend homework and upcoming assignments, so “nothing slips between the lines.”

“Advanced planning is the key to doing well,” said Thapar. 

She wants a college education to be part of each of her mentees’ futures. “I tell them, ‘Whatever you do, first think how it will help you get to college.’”

Thapar sees mentoring as a way of nation building. “A child who does well will contribute to the future of this country,” she said.

It brings her a lot of satisfaction to support students through their journeys. “As they make strides, you feel how much potential they have. It is life-altering.”

To become a “nation-building” mentor, one student at a time, contact mentor@springbranchisd.com, or find out more on this website.

Submitted by Becky Wuerth, SBISD Communications
Becky.wuerth@springbranchisd.com