MENTORING the next generation

Sundown Mountain Alternative Education Program students recently visited classrooms at El Mirage Elementary School as part of a mentoring program established by the Student Council at Sundown. Sundown Mountain began the mentorship program as a way to develop their leadership skills and build positive relationships with preschool students at El Mirage.

“Sundown mentors are service-minded individuals whose primary goal is to foster, encourage and bond with students who are at risk,” shared Ricardo Lopez, Sundown Mountain Job Specialist and student council sponsor.

In the pictures above, a Sundown Mountain Alternative Education Program student work with younger grade level students at El Mirage Elementary School as part of the mentorship program created.

The students were a large part of the planning process as they met with Rick Haney, Assistant Principal at El Mirage, to discuss research-based mentoring programs and the specific activities that would benefit the K-4 students. The Student Council landed on team and character building activities to break the ice with the younger students and develop a rapport. Students then led in-class tutoring in reading and math.

“This program has so much potential,” shared Haney. “I hope we can grow it into an elective class for the high school students, so they can be here everyday, making even more of an impact with our Tigers.”

“I was excited for the opportunities this could provide our students, as well as the students at El Mirage,” said Bobbie Lockhart, Sundown Mountain Principal. “We have only just begun to see the potential this mentorship presents for all of the students. The impact on the high schoolers has already been profound.”