We have many children waiting for a mentor.
Click here to e-mail Director, Tricia Cheesman,
if you are interested in becoming a mentor.    
               
Currently we serve 101 children in nine elementary schools of Garrett County, Maryland.

Mentoring is the presence of caring adults offering support, advice, friendship, reinforcement and a constructive example.  Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring volunteers who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of his or her Study buddy. Garrett Mentors motto (Inspire by Example) is more than just a motto; it is what our Mentors do each time they visit their Study Buddy.  By using your influence and resources as a decision maker, you can bring new hope to young lives through the power of mentoring.  You might be surprised by how much you will benefit as well.

This month I would like to demonstate some nontraditonal ways that our Mentors teach.  I've chosen one Mentor and their Study Buddy from each of the nine schools.  I hope you read on and become inspired to call and talk with me about possible mentorship.  An hour a week makes a huge difference!
   
Tricia

Accident Elementary School - Mentor Judi Schiff offers a Reading to Dogs Program to children in grades 2-5.  Maggie and Molly are trained therapy dogs.  In this photo Mrs. Schiff is reading to her Study Buddy Salina.  Salina's reading has improved greatly since she has been taking a turn reading to the dogs once a week.

 

Broadford Elementary School - Kathy Coble and her Study Buddy, Ariel, used patience, planning, many math skills, team work and eye and hand coordination to accomplish this beautiful gingerbread house.
 

Crellin Elementary School - Mentors Camille and Ed Spurr  are letting the water in the jar of trout eggs reach the same temperature as the water is in the tank the children have prepared to raise trout.  They are using a temperature module in the glass jar and are metering the temperature rise on the digital read out.  All the children in these photos are Garrett Mentors Study Buddies.

Dennett Road Elementary School - Mentor, Jeff Fahrner is teaching Study Buddy, Andrew how to tell time using a Kindle Fire.

Friendsville Elementary School - Mentor Tom Fike and his Study Buddy Neil are interested and learning about geography.  They have been learning  how many states they would have to travel through to get to their favorite, Alaska.  Tom and Neil are also researching polar bears and are reading every book they can find on the subject.

Grantsville Elementary School - Mentor Cindy Richardson and Study Buddy Ajai play Bunco to learn math.  They always read a book each time they meet; Ajai's reading and math skills have improved greatly this year!

Kitzmiller Elementary School - Mentor Bill Cheesman and Study Buddy Austin have been together for 6 years and often play Chess.  Studies have shown that playing Chess and reading poetry improve memory.  They often do math problems,  Austin's favorite subject, or talk about football.. Austin and Mr. Bill  are looking forward to the annual tubing event at Wisp.

Route 40 Elementary School - These photos are of mentors, Philip and Lucy Sorensen .  This wonderful couple is one of 8 couples who mentor children .  They mentor Emily and Noah, both 3 rd graders at Rt. 40 Elementary School.  Lucy is teaching Emily how to knit to help improve eye and hand coordination and enjoys the special one on one special attention she receives.  Philip is teaching Noah how to build a model.  In building the model Noah is learning how to focus and take direction and just have fun!   During their hour each week with the kids they also do more traditional learning such as reading and math.

Yough Glades Elementary School - Mentor, Don Sincell and his Study Buddy Trevor often have lunch together and head outside.  They usually take a walk on the nature trail behind the school which ends in a swampy area chock full of turtles, fish, sometimes geese and other critters.  Last fall they kept an eye on a pair of geese and their nest of young ones.  It is a fabulous environment, where there is so much to see and learn.  This has been a wonderful resource of ever changing learning for Trevor.