Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

 

Skyla, a student in Spring Branch ISD, understands the importance of having a mentor like Wanda Foster in the SpringBoard Program. For three years, Skyla has benefitted greatly from having a mentor as a confidant and champion.

“Anything I tell her, I don’t have to worry about it getting spread to other people,” said Skyla, an 8th-grade student at Landrum Middle School. “The friendship with my mentor is different from having friends my own age because I feel like I can trust her with more things than kids my own age.”

Foster first began mentoring middle school students about 20 years ago because she remembers the growing pains of being that age and watching her own children navigate this period of major growth and change. She remembers wishing she had someone with whom to talk things through. “I feel there is a great need in this age group particularly, and I felt I could be there for someone,” said Foster.

Open heart and mind

Mentors in the SpringBoard program visit with their mentees during lunch periods once a week during the school year. Most mentors form unique friendships with their mentees that different from those of parents or teachers. In fact, two of the most important skills mentors need are listening and showing up consistently.

“The only real preparation you need, outside of learning the rules and setting up a date/time, is to come with an open heart and mind,” said Foster. “You and your student will both benefit from the experience at a greater level than can be explained in words.”

An amazing human

Foster has enjoyed watching her current mentee, Skyla, mature and become more confident during their time together. “I have noticed she has matured in a different way by growing into herself more,” said the longtime mentor. “I think she is an amazing human!”

Skyla likes that her mentor continues to help focus on the future: checking in with her each week about keeping grades up and exploring future career pathways. She also enjoys the way Ms. Wanda makes her feel appreciated. 

“As for my own growth, mentoring gives me a chance to do something outside of myself that is for someone else yet mirrors back the blessings to me in many aspects,” said Foster. “The experience, as a whole, is a reminder of how precious our time is and how valuable we all are to each other.”

Skyla recommends other students participate in the great experience of having a mentor. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to have one during middle school,” she said. “They can help you through a lot of things and take off stress because you’ll have someone you can talk to.”

Help multiply the impact: become a mentor

To celebrate the 20-year mark of the SpringBoard Mentoring Program, SBISD has launching a campaign this school year to double the number of mentors in the program. The Power of Two campaign urges the current 250+ mentors in the program to invite at least one friend, family member or colleague to become a mentor, thus multiplying the number of SpringBoard mentors twofold. 

There are many students in Spring Branch ISD waiting for mentors and someone to talk to each week. Mentors assist students one-on-one in grades three through 12 by offering guidance, encouragement and support.

If you would like to experience the power of making a difference in the life of a young person, please follow the next steps here. A small investment of time during the school year can have long-lasting benefits.