Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Most Thursdays for the past seven years, mentor Aashish Sharma and his mentee, Brian, make time to visit with each other during the lunch period at Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS). Both take time out of their normal, busy weeks, to connect and catch up on life.

Sharma was first interested in the Spring Branch ISD SpringBoard Mentoring Program when the company where he works as a mechanical engineer, National Oilwell Varco, encouraged employees to give back to the community by serving as mentors to students in elementary or middle school. He requested to be matched with a middle school boy since his own children were just a few years younger and he wanted to get a jump start on how to communicate with and inspire young teens to be a better parent.

Once he got started with his weekly mentoring service, Sharma really looked forward to getting away from the pressures and engineering calculations at work to take a refreshing break with Brian. During the Covid-19 slow down they were not able to meet in person but once the weekly meetings were possible again, Sharma’s own daughter urged him to get reconnected with Brian.

“He is really a good kid,” said Sharma. “Life throws a lot of things at us and he has done a good job with whatever comes his way.”

Brian, who is now a senior, recalls meeting his mentor for the first time as a sixth grader at WAIS. “I remember being very shy and thinking he was very tall,” said Brian, who is now the same height as his mentor. “He is not so tall now,” laughed Brian.

Evolution of a unique friendship

In the early years, the mentor and mentee played some board games to help bridge their conversations while they got to know one another better. As their relationship grew, talking about family and friends started to dominate the conversation, without the need for games. “There is no template for being a mentor,” said Sharma. “I try to go with the flow and use our time together for his benefit.”

Brian certainly sees the benefits of having someone older to talk to, which he says is essential for middle and high school students. Sharma reflects on his foundational mentor training. A mentor, as Sharma learned, stands out as a special kind of friend - one whose presence can be incredibly advantageous for a student, providing a unique and supportive perspective in their corner.

A role-model kid

Recently Brian completed college applications to four Texas universities, with a plan to major in computer information science. The applications included letters of recommendation from his mentor, which shine a light on the admiration Sharma has for his mentee.

“Brian is a role-model kid,” said Sharma with pride. “I commend how he balances his studies with his responsibilities at home.”

Brian credits Sharma for teaching him to “take a risk.” He remembers sharing that he had a fear of water. Sharma encouraged him to take some swim lessons to overcome the fear, which he did. Learning to ride a bike was another skill Brian learned at the suggestion of his mentor. He is now ‘taking a risk’ by learning to drive!

Gratitude for time investment

Brian is grateful for the time his mentor has given him over the years. “It shows how much he cares. I know how busy adult life is. To have someone to spend time and talk with is important to the development of a child.”

As Sharma and Brian contemplate how their relationship will shift to less frequent meetings next year (after graduation), they hope to keep in touch as often as possible. Sharma encouraged Brian to ‘pay it forward’ whenever he has a chance to mentor another young person. This advice is good reminder for everyone: show gratitude for positive influences by doing the same for the next generation.

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This school year, the SpringBoard Mentor Program is celebrating 20 years of mentors effecting positive outcomes with hundreds of students in SBISD. If you would like to invest time in the life of a young person by becoming a mentor, there are students ‘on the brink of success’ in Spring Branch ISD just waiting for you to make a positive difference in their lives.

Contact mentor@springbranchisd.com for more information.