Meet Pam & Iridian!

Early in April, I was able to meet Pam Gereau and Iridian, a bright 5th grade student at Reilly Elementary. This was the first interview I conducted with a mentor and student, which has been a dream of mine since starting with Austin Partners in Education in August 2007. With over 850 mentors, it's very easy to get buried in spreadsheets and I truly cherish any face time I am able to have with the amazing people who participate in this program and the students they serve.

Even though I was the one asking the questions, I was quite nervous. I had quickly typed up some questions but I had no idea how I would capture the spark I quickly saw between Pam and Iridian. Unfortunately, my greatest fears were realized, and the video file of our interview was corrupted, leaving only my memory to help translate their remarkable relationship.

Pam and Iridian met in the fall of 2004 when Iridian was a first grader at Reilly. Throughout our conversation, they talked about the different adventures they had gone on and the many things they had learned together. Though seemingly quiet, Iridian was eloquent and confident when she answered my questions. I could tell that she was proud to have a mentor and that Pam was very proud of her.

Next year, Iridian will be attending middle school and she was excited to have continue Pam alongside her. Every time I talk with middle school mentors, I feel like I am reliving my childhood. I flashback to all the drama and insecurities I went through in those three short years and am so thankful that these students have someone to help them sort through everything. Last week, I was talking with another middle school mentor and she said that when she was walking up to the school to visit her student, she saw a group of girls huddled together in tears. She said that her heart broke for them because she knew, no matter what the cause, their world had just fallen apart. And more than likely, their world would fall apart the following week for a completely different reason.

Transitioning with a student to a new school can be a difficult task and some relationships do not continue because the student wants the opportunity to venture out on their own in a new environment. On the other hand, many students greatly appreciate the support they receive through the transition and rely on the stability they find in their mentors. While this would be a daunting task for anyone, I could tell that Pam and Iridian have built a solid foundation for their mentorship over the last 5 years that will help them work together through the challenges that may come their way.

During our interview, Pam reminded Iridian of the promise she had made to stay with her through high school -- a promise I believe Iridian will have no problem holding her to. Pam had also given Iridian an additional incentive to pursue her goal of going to college. When Iridian is 18 years old and has enrolled in the university of her choice, Pam has planned to take her on a cruise!

While Iridian obviously has a lot to look forward to with Pam, I think she already feels the biggest rewards now. When I asked Iridian what she would say to people who are unsure about whether they would like to mentor a student, I couldn't have asked for a better response. A mentor is someone you can trust, someone you know really cares about you and someone who listens to you. This kind of insight only comes from experience.

As our interview wrapped up, I asked Pam and Iridian where they would like to take some photos. We went outside and Pam showed me where they spent some of their first visits -- on the swing set.

What do teachers make?

I thought this was a nice way to start the long weekend.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To emphasize his point he said to another guest, "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?" She paused for a second, then began.

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?"

She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.

''I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
Keyboarding isn't everything!
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, because we live in the United States of America.
I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Thank you to all of the amazing teachers - those that work inside and outside of a classroom!

We Salute You!

Each year, Austin Partners in Education hosts the AISD Salute Awards ceremony to recognize outstanding school staff, volunteers and Partners from across the district. It may have been because it was held on Cinco de Mayo or it could have been the exceptional planning of Paige Fillipp and Megan Weed, but this year's Salute had a new energy. If you didn't feel it at the beginning, you couldn't help but get into the festive mood when the Reagan High School drumline escorted the 2008 Teacher of the Year Eric Cruz into the banquet hall! Once again, Mr. Cruz gave a moving speech before announcing the 2009 Teacher of the Year Cindy Stocking from Dawson Elementary.

APIE Coordinator of the Year

Winner: Barbara Rodgers, Wooldridge Elementary

It has been a pleasure to work with Barbara over the last two years. She is greatly committed to the students at Wooldridge Elementary and is phenomenal at engaging student organizations in the mentor program each year. She currently supervises approximately 50 mentors as well as other volunteers, tutors and Partners at Wooldridge. Thank you Barbara for your tireless support of these children!


Nominees:
Nancy Carssow-Lehmann, Lanier High School
Christine Liguez-Alvarez, Oak Springs Elementary
Janie Orosco, Zilker Elementary
Cathy Requejo, Project HELP
Mayra Sigala, Hart Elementary
Kellie Trinidad, Hill Elementary
Stephanie Wilson, Highland Park Elementary


This year, each school was able to recognize the Mentor of the Year for their campus.


Andrews Elementary: Amanda Mayorga
Ann Richards School: Carol Denton
Barton Hills Elementary: JR Carter
Blackshear Elementary: Ron Collins
Brooke Elementary: Steve Curran
Brown Elementary: Barbara Yznaga
Campbell Elementary: Steve Knight
Doss Elementary: Jill Moore
Eastside Memorial High School: Joe Trevino
Garza Independence High School: Virginia Duke
Hill Elementary: Susan Hill
International High School: Faizan Subhani
Kealing Middle School: Valarie Cadena
LASA High School: David Journeay
Linder Elementary: Marc Brewster
Martin Middle School: Lacy Garner
Mathews Elementary: Pamela Hall
Mendez Middle School: Stephanie Young
Metz Elementary: David Gonzalez
Mills Elementary: LuAnn Patrick
Murchison Middle School: Ann Howard
O. Henry Middle School: Matt Nelson
Oak Springs Elementary: Sean McDonald
Overton Elementary: Blender Hill
Pillow Elementary: Debbie Keith
Reagan High School: Deborah Warren
St. Elmo Elementary: Ada Aguirre
Travis Heights Elementary: Terry Franz
Wooldridge Elementary: Milton Marvin

Salute is a very special night for everyone involved, but we also like to throw a more intimate gathering just for the volunteers and school staff that we work closely with at Austin Partners in Education. On May 21, we will be hosting the annual Volunteer Appreciation Party at our new office space to thank all of the amazing people who contribute to APIE programs. Make sure to check back for pictures at the end of the month!

you say it's your birthday?

May is filled with celebrations at Austin Partners! On May 5, we are honoring volunteers, businesses and school staff who have contributed to the success of the students in Austin ISD. Throughout the month, schools will be hosting luncheons to thank their mentors and tutors. On May 21, we will be hosting our own Volunteer Appreciation Social to premiere our new recruitment video and introduce all of our Partners to our new offices.

Another milestone we are celebrating is surpassing the 800 mark in the mentor program! We currently have 811 confirmed matches for the 08-09 school year! Thanks so much to everyone who recruited friends, co-workers and family members to build support for the students this year.

We would also like to recognize the mentors who are having their own birthday celebrations this month. At the end of April, two more APIE staff members celebrated their birthdays: Edward Furstenau, Technology Support Specialist and Megan Weed, College Readiness Program Coordinator.

Thank you so much for the dedication you have shown the students this year. We hope you have a very special day!

1 - Chazz Robinson, Maplewood Elementary

Margot Rodriguez, Cook Elementary

2 - Elizabeth Wiley, Ann Richards School

Ines Frye, Becker Elementary

Janie McClam, Rodriguez Elementary

Jerry Mendez, Becker Elementary

Madeyline Brown, McBee Elementary

Tyler Merceron, Kealing Middle School

3 - Deborah Sawyer, Blackshear Elementary

Shelly Comer, Becker Elementary

4 - Arleen Sanchez, Hill Elementary

5 - Patricia Dornak, Wooten Elementary

Reza Alaghehband, Mathews Elementary

6 - Anita Roopani, Covington Middle School

7 - Barbara Dismuke, Rodriguez Elementary

Cyrus Eelani, Maplewood Elementary

Damian Carrillo, McBee Elementary

Erin Framel, Wooldridge Elementary

8 - Erin Broussard, Menchaca Elementary

Marilyn Montano, O. Henry Middle School

Mark Wilkerson, Eastside Memorial High School

9 - Heather Hinton, Kealing Middle School

Leigh Jackson, Blackshear Elementary

Newton Liu, Wooten Elementary

Sascha Rips, Govalle Elementary

10 - Ginette Betournay, Pease Elementary

Susan Hunt, Reilly Elementary

Walter Ford, Becker Elementary

11 - Courtney Fowler, Reilly Elementary

Jessica Farrar, Maplewood Elementary

Malinda Shaver, Pillow Elementary

12 - Alan Feldman, Rodriguez Elementary

Betsy Archbold, Kealing Middle School

Blair Hannon, Kealing Middle School

Brittany Hamby, Brown Elementary

Jennifer Concannon, Pease Elementary

Marion Radow, Menchaca Elementary

Monica Neshyba, Ann Richards School

13 - Alisha Jordan, Lamar Middle School

James Young, Kiker Elementary

Jerry Capps, Doss Elementary

Jessica Guerrero, Martin Middle School

Lee Dawson, Jr., Campbell Elementary

15 - John Norbert, Norman Elementary

16 - Raquel Cavazos, Reagan High School

17 - Bradley Bernard, Maplewood Elementary

Chadwin Young, Allison Elementary

Eileen Danaher, Brown Elementary

Jeri Muhich, Pillow Elementary

Paul Frank, Allan Elementary

Rolando Arce, Wooten Elementary

18 - Anthony Rezendes, Brown Elementary

Casey Corbin, Maplewood Elementary

Elizabeth Humphries, Ann Richards School

Laurie Coker, Burnet Middle School

19 - Monica Welch, Boone Elementary

20 - Carmen Pedraza, Davis Elementary

Don Zappone, Bryker Woods Elementary

Lara Foronda, McCallum High School

Maria Chiquillo, Kealing Middle School

Shomari Lee, Pillow Elementary

21 - Carolyn Chachere, Wooldridge Elementary

James Hester, Dobie Middle School

James MacKay, Walnut Creek Elementary

Patricia Cripe, Kiker Elementary

22 - Kabu Katei, Kealing Middle School

Michael Truesdale, Brown Elementary

23 - Cathy Crabtree, Reilly Elementary

Jennifer Bishop, Reilly Elementary

Rachel Drennan, Kealing Middle School

Sean McDonald, Oak Springs Elementary

24 - Adriana Buford, Doss Elementary

Amanda Scott, Walnut Creek Elementary

25 - Bob Carroll, Pillow Elementary

Brian Leach, Burnet Middle School

Katherine McDonald, Oak Springs Elementary

Susan Everett, Pillow Elementary

26 - Jesus Armendariz, Eastside Memorial High School

Karl Holdren, Reilly Elementary

Pam Porter, Menchaca Elementary

27 - Alfred Garcia, Cook Elementary

Juanita Atkins, Pillow Elementary

Sarah Hensley, Burnet Middle School

29 - James Sylvester, Reagan High School

30 - Craig Spencer, Pillow Elementary

Martha Hopkins, Ann Richards School

31 - Mercedes Marrero, Cowan Elementary

Meet Jack and Frankie!

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with a very special mentor and student at Oak Springs Elementary. Jack Goodman is a retired civil engineer who joined the mentor program in October of 2007. He was matched with Frankie, a bright 5th grade student who was interested in design as well.

Before Frankie arrived, Mr. Goodman talked with me about why he decided to join the mentor program this year. Mr. Goodman is the primary caretaker for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s. He talked about a program they go to where volunteers have various activities for the patients to participate in. He was so appreciative of the time that they gave to his wife that he decided he should “pay it forward” by becoming a mentor.

While I was setting up the camera to record our conversation, Frankie started to tell Jack about the new video game he had bought. I had no idea what game he was talking about but if Jack shared my feelings, you couldn't tell. He asked questions and listened intently as Frankie excitedly told him about his weekend.

Christin: Why did you decide to start mentoring?
Jack: I decided because my wife has Alzheimer’s and she’s been in it 7 years and a lot of people give care to us regarding the disease so I figured I needed to do something to give back to the community. So I decided, through First Baptist Church which has a lot of mentors here at Oak Springs, to do the same. And back in October, I joined the team! And luckily I got him!

Christin: What did you think when you found out you were going to get a mentor?
Frankie: Well I was waiting and waiting and waiting and I was like “Cool!” because my friends have mentors too. So I was waiting and waiting until finally he came. And that day just happened to be my birthday.
Jack: Yeah, we celebrated together.

Christin: Had you been waiting a long time to have a mentor?
Frankie: Yeah, maybe 2 or 3 weeks.
Jack: Ms. Feilke [the Mentor Contact at Oak Springs] paired us up because I was in the design profession and Frankie was interested in architecture. So she paired us up and it really worked well. He’s thinking about going to architecture school or maybe being a lawyer. I advised him to be a lawyer - it’s a lot more money than architecture!
Frankie: Maybe I can do both!

Christin: So what kind of stuff do you do together during your meetings?
Frankie: So first thing we do is we talk a little bit. We play chess or checkers or something like that.
Christin: He told me you beat him a lot in chess.
Frankie: (shyly) Yes.

Christin: What have you learned from having a mentor?
Frankie: He has pictures of animals and he taught me how to draw houses and stuff. And he taught me how you can tell how much it costs by the square feet of the house. And he told me what (architects) do.
Christin: So you’re ahead of the game!

Christin: Have you seen a change since you started mentoring?
Jack: Pretty much Frankie’s been about how he always was when I met him. He’s a good kid. He’s a good athlete, or at least he tells me he is. But he’s a good student. Not like the average kid though. He’s got a lot of good things, emotionally and mentally, that he’s dealing with. I keep up with the school work. I try to tell him “If you can do the best, you’re going to be the best.” And just advise him of that.

This year, Frankie applied to attend the Fulmore Middle School Magnet Program. According to the website, the Fulmore Magnet Program “features classes in Humanities, Law, and International Studies. The Magnet Program places emphasis on citizenship and civic responsibilities through specialized courses in law and government.” Each year, Fulmore Magnet receives applications from elementary schools across Austin as well as private schools in the Central Texas area. In 2008-2009, the program had 112 6th grade students.

Christin: Can you tell me a little bit about why you decided to apply to Fulmore Middle School Magnet Program?
Frankie: Well, my Dad wanted me to go to Covington.. because he thought there was a difference in how kids acted there. But my Mom heard that my aunt and my uncle went to Fulmore so she wanted me to go there. And there’s a humanities program there for humanities and law. So I decided to sign up for it.

Christin: So I heard when you applied to Fulmore Magnet that you wrote an essay. Did you talk about Mr. Goodman in your essay?
Frankie: I did because the topic was “Why are you choosing Fulmore Magnet Humanities and Law?” and I thought about it. So I said I would like to do it because I feel that it would provide me with more knowledge and that it would help me more with architecture stuff. So I said that my mentor was an architect and he told me you need to know lots of math.

Christin: So do you want Mr. Goodman to continue as your mentor at Fulmore?
Frankie: (before I finished my sentence) Yes.

Below is an excerpt from Frankie’s application essay for the Fulmore Magnet Program.

"If you look around my room at Grandma’s house, you would first think it’s a little messy. Then you would realize it has all the stuff I like so I know where it is. There’s my chessboard on the table that my mentor, Jack Goodman, gave me. It’s pure ivory and he had it since he was young. Now he’s retired and wanted me to have it. Jack was a famous architect and designed Bowie High School and some famous churches in Austin. He was also in the Army Canine Corps and his brother was in the Navy. Every week when he comes to visit me at school we play chess with the little plastic chessmen in the library while we talk. I told Jack about Fulmore Magnet, and he said that would be a great choice for me. He said he would come there to see me next year. After talking to Jack, I decided that Fulmore Magnet would be my best choice. It will help me get into higher classes in high school so I can get a scholarship for college. It also goes with what I want to do in a career. I want to be a lawyer and work in either government or environment."

Christin: What would you say to anyone out there who may be unsure about whether they can be a mentor or may be thinking about being a mentor?
Jack: Well, in life, you never know what you can do and can’t do unless you try to do something. If you don’t do it, you’ve lost the opportunity. My advice to anybody who’s interested in mentoring is to try it and see if they agree with the program, which I do. The help that I got was from my son, who was a mentor for a student about 10 or 15 years ago, and I kind of learned from him. My advice is that you’re never going to know about something unless you try it. That’s what prompted me to do it.

Christin: Were you nervous when you started?
Jack: Sure! Everybody’s nervous when they get into a new situation. He was nervous too, weren’t you?
Frankie: Yeah..
Jack: He didn’t know what kind of rascal he was going to get!

Christin: And Frankie, you said you had waited awhile to get a mentor, so what would you say on behalf of the other kids who want mentors?
Frankie: It’s a very good thing to have a mentor because he’s someone you can talk to. And it’s almost a counselor but you can get more into it with him. And you start to trust him. They’re fun to hang around with. And you know they care about you.
Jack: And I agree with what he said. Trust is the key word. You got to trust each other (and know) that we’re not in left field somewhere. And we’re good buddies.

At the end of our interview, Frankie showed Mr. Goodman’s volunteer badges that they have collected to keep track of their visits.
Frankie: I think there are too little. I think he’s come more.

Christin: Do you think, Frankie, that when you grow up you’d want to come back and mentor a student?
Frankie: Yeah.
Jack: He’d be a good one.

I thanked Frankie and Mr. Goodman for their time. Frankie jumped up and started laying out their next activity for the day - Jenga. There were many pieces of my time with Frankie and Jack that I don’t think can be described in writing. I could tell that Frankie was very comfortable with Jack and that they both shared the confidence that Frankie is going to go on and do really amazing things with his life. Frankie was just as proud to have Jack as a mentor as Jack was to have Frankie as a student. I’m really looking forward to seeing their relationship grow in the coming years.

"the silent epidemic"

Check out this great article in the Huffington Post about the cost of dropping out: A Scandal More Shameful than AIG and Just as Costly for Taxpayers.

happy april birthdays!

I am always being asked questions like "Am I too old to be a mentor?" My answer is always "Absolutely not!" but I was never sure how old the averge mentor is. So recently, I ran some statistics on our current mentors and was very pleased to see that the results supported my response.


42% of mentors are under the age of 30
50% of mentors are between the ages of 31 and 60
There are more mentors over 60 (8%) than under 20 (3%)

Our current mentors span 4 generations with many mentors starting at the age of 18 and some of our most experienced mentors continuing into their late 80's.

We would just like to say "Happy Birthday!" to all of our mentors that were born in April. If you see any of your fellow mentors on this list, make sure to wish them well on their special day.

I would also like to send a special birthday wish to two Austin Partners in Education staff members who celebrated their birthdays last week: Jannette McLaughlin, Companeros en Lectura Program Manager and Kathrin Brewer, Executive Director.

* Note: Below are the dates of the mentors' birthdays. These are not their ages :)

2 - Sarah Tambunga, Kealing Middle School
Steven Ross, Galindo Elementary

3 - Barbara Hilliard, Webb Middle School
Jacquelyn George, McBee Elementary

4 - Bruce Thompson, Oak Springs Elementary
Colleen Bowens, Wooten Elementary
Danielle Prado, Travis High School
Georgia Henwood, Reilly Elementary
Lauren Kelner, Pecan Springs Elementary
Stacy Bain, Becker Elementary
Stefanie Boyle, Doss Elementary

5 - Alexander Yeagley, Maplewood Elementary
Phil Crabtree, Eastside Memorial High School

6 - Chad Rabello, Travis High School
Emory Sweeney, Maplewood Elementary
Liz Coit, Mathews Elementary

7 - Benny Hawkins, Allison Elementary
Margarita Reyna, Ann Richards School

8 - Abigail Cain, Ann Richards School
Amber Finley, Maplewood Elementary
Janette More, Wooten Elementary
Otha Graham, Bedichek Middle School
Patricia Valdez, Becker Elementary

9 - Charles Grimm, Akins High School
Yolanda Castro, Allison Elementary

10 - April Henson, Maplewood Elementary
Pat Littleton, Murchison Middle School

11 - Ernest Henry, Campbell Elementary
Haotian Lee, Maplewood Elementary
Michael Bedard, Lee Elementary
Ping-Feng Liu, Maplewood Elementary
Vanessa Lowery, Winn Elementary

12 - David Gutman, Wooten Elementary
Muhammad Khan, Ridgetop Elementary

13 - Kaitlyn Swan, Maplewood Elementary
Ron Collins, Blackshear Elementary

14 - Esther Odamah, O. Henry Middle School

15 - Brittney Glenn, Kealing Middle School
Irma Zavaleta-Castillo, Winn Elementary
Rosario Franco, Ann Richards School

16 - Barbara Grover, Becker Elementary

18 - Katie Arens, Becker Elementary
Nathan Jones, Graham Elementary

19 - Emily Abbink, Brooke Elementary

21 - Tencha Rodriguez, Allan Elementary

22 - Brie Franco, Eastside Memorial High School - GAHCC Advisor Project
Chuck Gates, Metz Elementary
James Klod, Winn Elementary
Mellisa Jordan, Wooldridge Elementary

23 - Brian Bowser, Burnet Middle School
Emily Green, Wooldridge Elementary
Jae Knowlton, Winn Elementary
Jesus Trevino, Linder Elementary

24 - Diane Hayes, Webb Middle School
Nancy Edwards, Maplewood Elementary

25 - Archie Barrett, Wooten Elementary
Debra Craig, Becker Elementary
Jennifer Boerner, O. Henry Middle School
Rohini Kumarage, Dawson Elementary

26 - Abigial Reder, Wooldridge Elementary

27 - Annie Baker, Wooldridge Elementary

28 - Celeste Cantu, Blazier Elementary
Charles Newell, Brown Elementary
Ethan Peters, Kealing Middle School
Jeremy Jacobs, International High School
Muriyd Franklin, Pease Elementary
Rachel Nicholson, Wooldridge Elementary

29 - Angel Bujanda, McBee Elementary

30 - Bruce Fisher, Campbell Elementary
Warren Moore, Pease Elementary

volunteering with a mission.

Despite the icy winds outside, over 70 people chose to spend their Saturday morning in a high school cafeteria. On March 14, representatives from Austin Partners in Education, the St. John's Neighborhood Association, YoungLife, Austin Stone Community Church and Reagan High School spoke with the volunteers about the needs within the school and community, as well as guidelines for working with the students.

These volunteers make up just a small pool of over 300 people who responded to a video that was shown at Austin Stone Community Church several weeks ago. The video talked about the situation Reagan High is facing and the help that the teachers are needing. After the 2008 TAKS exams were scored, Reagan High was ranked "academically unacceptable" by the Texas Education Agency along with 2 other high schools, 2 middle schools and 6 elementary schools in Austin ISD. For Reagan High and Pearce Middle School, these ratings mean that a decision may be made soon about the future of their campus.

Michael Madison, the new Volunteer Coordinator at Reagan, has offered up a menu of tutoring options for anyone interested in helping out the students.

Volunteers can:

.. "Adopt a Teacher" by helping a classroom with a range of projects including tutoring, behavior management or just making copies.

.. help students prepare for the upcoming science and math sections of the TAKS exam.

.. assist students after school Monday through Thursday from 4:20-6:00pm.

.. come on Saturdays to tutor students from 9am - 12pm.

Volunteers are also being recruited for "Beautify Reagan Day" on Saturday, April 18.

The overwhelming response from the Austin Stone has come with a new spirit of service. Many times, we have found that volunteers become frustrated or discouraged if they are not given clear roles and guidelines or if their experience does not meet their expectations. According to Mr. Madison though, these volunteers have come to this opportunity truly willing to help in any way possible.

Classic mentoring has proven to be more difficult in high school than in younger grades. Though many volunteers are willing to be a positive role model to teenagers, it can be hard to convince the students of the benefits a mentor can offer them. We have started encouraging volunteers who are interested in mentoring high school students to get involved in other ways at the school or within the community. As some volunteers at Reagan have found, you can get to know students very well through tutoring without the pressure that comes with sitting down for your first mentor meeting. Once students see that volunteers are really there to support and help them, they can become more comfortable and may talk to their tutors about what is going on in the personal lives.

I am very excited to see the progress that is going to be made at Reagan High in the next few months as these volunteers pour into the students and teachers. The St. John's community as a whole is becoming a model for a new relationship between neighborhoods and schools. No matter what happens when the next round of TAKS scores comes in, I think that a real difference is being made in the lives of these students and the staff at Reagan.

If you are interested in becoming involved at Reagan, please sign up here for the volunteer opportunities listed above: Austin Partners in Education - Reagan High.

Time for TAKS!

This week, students across Texas took the reading portion of the TAKS exam. For many, Tuesday was the culmination of months of preparation during regular class time and after school. Over the last few years, I've seen a different side of standardized testing that I never experienced growing up. For me, the yearly exam (then called TAAS) was just another routine. I didn't know anyone who stressed over it, and my teachers only went through a few days of additional preparation outside of our regular lessons. (For a full TAKS schedule, please visit the Austin ISD website.)

When I came to Austin in August of 2007 though, I saw another side of the exam. I had never known that closure was an option for schools whose students did not score high enough on the TAKS exam until I learned about the situation at Johnston High School. Now that I am more familiar with the requirements and the circumstances that several schools are facing in Austin this year, I have a very different perspective of how mentors can support their students through this difficult time.

One school that is facing scrutiny because of their test scores is Becker Elementary. We have had a few mentors at Becker over the last two years, but in January I received notice from Drew Houlihan of the Austin ISD Leadership Development Center about an effort to match all 3-5 graders (approximately 84 students) at Becker with a mentor.

After an initial request, Austin Energy was able to sign up 20 new mentors for Becker Elementary. Another 6 mentors came from Austin ISD departments and throughout the community. During an orientation, Drew helped the new mentors understand the situation at Becker: Becker is currently rated as Academically Unacceptable (year 1) by the Texas Education Agency. The AISD Leadership Development Center is supporting the students, parents, administrators and teachers at Becker in the effort to improve their academic rating. During an initial needs assessment, the LDC and the Becker community identified the critical need for students, especially in grades 3-5, to connect with an adult role model. The pressures of the accountability system are widely felt inside the walls of Becker. The purpose of the mentors at Becker is to give students an opportunity to escape those pressures, even if it is for 30 minutes per day. By serving as mentors, adult role models provide the students at Becker with a forum for supporting and encouraging their "mentees" to reach their goals and to have an avenue for exploring interests outside of the academic world.

Now that TAKS season has begun, I really feel that mentors at all schools can provide an opportunity for their students to focus on something other than exams. Some students will want to spend their visits talking about the stress they feel and the concerns they have for their school. Other students may want to use their mentor meetings to discuss other goals they have outside of academics. At every grade level, students are very aware of the pressures their teachers and principals are facing during TAKS season. It can be easy for students to feel that their value is only measured by their scores on a standardized exam. Mentors can allow students to show their strengths in new ways and can help students understand that they are valued regardless of their performance on the TAKS.

One mentor who has been working with her student at Becker since early in the fall has seen a real "breakthrough" with her student this week. Another mentor who just had his first meeting last week said that his student opened up right away about what he was going through. It seems that during this stressful time, students are really depending on their mentors and relying on them for support and guidance.

I think the following quote doesn't just apply to the mentors at Becker, but shows how communities and schools across Austin feel about the support mentors are providing for their students:

"The Becker community and the AISD Leadership Development Center want to express our sincere gratitude to those who serve as mentors. With your support and assistance, we know that each and every child will be highly successful in all that they do this year. Thank you for your commitment to our school and for serving as positive adult role models for our students." -- Drew Houlihan, Assistant Director of AISD Leadership Development Center.

Best wishes to all of the students who are taking the TAKS test!

Becker Elementary is still in need of 15 more mentors!

If you are interested in mentoring a student at Becker Elementary,

contact Christin Alvarado at calvarado@austinpartners.org

or sign up here: * Mentoring - 08/09 - Becker Elementary .

Feria Para Aprender

For the third year, Austin Partners in Education participated in the planning of Feria Para Aprender, an education fair for the Spanish-speaking community in Austin. This year, over 70 non-profit organizations and Austin ISD departments set up booths at the Tony Burger Center on Saturday, February 7. Over 100 volunteers and Parent Support Specialists helped parents and students collect resources and information that would help them to succeed. Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of CommuniCard and the brains behind the operation, encouraged all participants to spread a very unique message to parents that we like to call:

"Para Una Buena Vida"

Graduate from high school and you will earn one million dollars in your lifetime.

Graduate from college and you will earn an addition million dollars in your lifetime.

You will have more opportunities if you are bilingual, so learn English quickly and continue to develop Spanish as well.

Through sponsors such as Wells Fargo and HEB, along with the support of Spanish media such as Univision Television, Border Media, Univision Radio and ¡ahora sí!, Feria Para Aprender had a record crowd this year of over 7,700 parents and students. That's more than the first two years combined!

Along with gathering information from organizations that served students from early childhood through college grduation, parents were also able to receive free immunizations from Austin Care Van and free vision screenings from Wal-Mart. Austin ISD also provided parents with an opportunity to see a mock bilingual education classroom, participate in science experiments, and sign up for ParentConnection, an online resource that allows parents to view their children's grades, attendance records and behavioral reports.

Another highlight for many families was the Reading Garden, where children could take home Spanish children's books and see presentations by Proyecto Teatro. The whole day was topped off with free healthy snacks provided by Seton Family of Hospitals.

As part of the planning committee for the second year, it has truly been a pleasure to see this event grow and develop into the community effort it was this year. It is very rare and truly inspiring to see representatives from different media outlets take a break from the competition to serve the needs of this community. The consistent involvement from Austin ISD also shows parents and students that education does not end in the classroom.

For more information about Feria Para Aprender, visit www.feriaeducativa.org.