"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?"
-Martin Luther King, Jr
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
330 Dorsey ROAD
PRINCE FREDERICK, MD 20678
The Mentorship Program in the Calvert County Public Schools is predicated upon experience‑based learning. Each year, a selected number of qualified seniors in each school are accepted to expand their curriculum opportunities beyond the school site. This is done through exploratory placements which recognize and serve the student's individual talents and intellectual abilities. The program includes a combination of exploratory reading and research, on‑site experience, and post‑placement assessment. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours during a four month placement. Placements may run longer, but must be completed by the end of April each year. The Mentorship Program is meant to be a dual association that offers a challenge both intellectually and creatively for the student.
The three major thrusts of the program are:
1. To help the student explore a possible future career choice.
2. To gain career‑related experience.
3. To establish a relationship with a mentor in a field the student wishes to pursue.
It is important to understand that not all placements can offer the same opportunities for students. For example some placements may be more hands on than others, some may include more research based learning, and still others observational learning through shadowing.
Responsibilities of the Community Mentor
1. To devote time to the student in the pursuit of his/her interest.
2. To develop, in cooperation with the student, a definite plan of action in the chosen field.
The plan should reflect the student's needs and talents (see number five under“Responsibilities of Student").
3. To counsel the student in the specialized area and to provide a valuable setting for the learning experience.
4. To report the progress of the student to the Community Mentorship liaison, certifystudent's on‑site visits (date and time), and to participate in a final evaluation.
Initial activities for each student could include: Exploratory reading and research, on‑site observations, discussions with mentor and other appropriate persons, visitations to related sources, working with other appropriate persons. After orientation and initial involvement, the student and the mentor will develop plans for a specific project to be completed by the student.
Responsibilities of the Student
To facilitate student attainment of the goals and objectives listed above, the following instructional techniques may be employed:
1. Completing exploratory reading and research involving their career.
2. Observations of and discussions with professionals in their career area.
3. Contributions to operations of the site by working cooperatively with one or more mentors in the field.
4. Meet with school liaison for evaluation of progress.
5. Completing one of the following:
a) Comprehensive site overview, delineating site history, its goals, organizational
structure (as appropriate), current priorities, career outlook, education required,
opportunities for advancement.
b) Comprehensive interview with one or more of the mentors with whom student has
worked during the time on site. This may include any of the criteria outlined in
7(a), in addition to information regarding personal influences of the mentor,
impact of the mentor on the business, and discussion including educational
background, goals, etc.
c) Career‑related product to be completed for the mentor's business. This product
must reflect tangible evidence of learned skills, research orientation, or other
requirement as established by the mentor.
Evaluations
Evaluations will be based on the completion of the following activities:
1. Facilitator/liaison meetings with student for assessment of student progress.
2. On‑site observation by program facilitator.
3. Participation in activities provided by mentor(s); successfully completing tasks.
4. Completion of site overview, mentor interview, or product for mentor.
5. Completion of program specific evaluations.
Other Information on the Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program is offered to seniors first. Prior to the beginning of a working relationship between a student and mentor, an application will be completed and signed by a student and parent. The application will include specific details of the program, including goals, proposed career areas, time, place, and estimated duration. Mentors will be selected on the basis of their ability and desire to give wholesome leadership to high school students. The meeting time and place for each mentor and student will be determined by both the student and mentor depending on mutual needs and the plan that has been developed. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours during a four month placement. Students will be awarded one elective credit upon successful completion of all requirements (see "Responsibilities of Student") in a timely manner. Transportation to and from the mentorship site will be the responsibility of the individual student.
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