"I Can.. I Will" Teacher Student Mentoring Program
The "I Can, I Will Mentoring Program" plays an integral role in building character in students at G.A. Schools often identify students as academically at-risk, but at G.A., we also focus on those students who are emotionally at-risk. Focusing on the whole child is necessary to success. The social worker reaches out to the staff and a variety of community organizations and businesses each year to elicit mentors. Teachers, teaching assistants, local college students and community members volunteer their time. All mentors are screened, fingerprinted and trained with the social worker and agree to at least one full year's commitment. Third through fifth graders participate in the program. Teachers are given a list of guidelines and are asked to choose five students who would benefit from mentoring. They are advised to choose a wide variety of students. The principal, assistant principal, and social worker review the list and make the final determination based on mentor availability. Although every child would benefit from a mentor, mentor availability varies from year to year.