Claire Elbaum

What are we talking about?

It is easy. We overwork ourselves on a regular basis. Weve
all done it at some point in time, its natural, its normal, but it can
take away from other important parts of our lives. Some may
argue that it is our choice to let it, but I will argue that sometimes
it is the only option.
Children that come from lower income families may live a
different life than others, not better or worse, but different. While
children that come from a more well off family who have parents
that are around frequently, others parents are more absent, but
not necessarily because they choose to be.

Now what is the problem here?

When we are young and trying something new, such as
college for some, or learning how to ride a bike for others, you
needed a cheerleader, someone who was present and wanted to
see you succeed. Think about a time in your life when you needed
a little push in the right direction, you needed someone by your
side encouraging you and giving you their undivided attention.

We all need that at some point or another, and some arent given
chance to receive it due to complicated circumstances.
To provide for their families, in particular those that are lower
income, parents are overworked, which in turn, leaves their
children with less hope and encouragement at home. When a
parent is working to keep their family afloat, sometimes it leaves
the child lacking that important educational attention. Overall,
there is a lack of of imperative parental support.

Why is this a Problem?

As described by the National Education Association, students
earn higher grades, attend school regularly, have better social
skills, and graduate on time when parents are a present figure in
the students life. This is just providing even clearer evidence as
to why children need a strong mentor in their lives. When parents
are overworking themselves to provided for their family, their
children are left at home to support themselves. Without that
parental support, it is more challenging for students to do those
things on their own. Without parents or a guardian around, the
students arent given as many opportunities to set goals and

foster an achievement for themselves. Parents are also unable to

then create relationships with their childs teacher to keep in
touch regarding their childs success, and be able to advocate for
their student. Studies show that without engagement from
parents, the students are more likely to have behavioral
problems, and a lower grade point average.
A study done by Child Trends Data Bank shows that 27% of
parents whose families are at or below the poverty line are active
participants in their childs education. This is an example of why
parents are unable to advocate for their children because they are
focused on providing for their family, overworking themselves in
the process and distancing themselves from their childs success
or lack of.
Do you think you would have been more successful if you had
more parental support?

What can we do to solve the problem?

The overall solution is easier said than done, have all parents
be present figures in their childrens lives, but we know that isnt
always possible. The best possible solution to offer students some
sense of parental support and encouragement is to provide
student mentors in all schools, low income schools in particular. If
we provide the schools with mentors that want to be in school and
have a desire to make a difference, then the students will be
given an opportunity to have one on one encouragement.
If studies are showing that with a positive role model or
mentor students tend to perform better and with higher hopes,
than why wouldnt an administration work to ensure this can be a
program in their school? An effective teacher understands that
the teaching component is only part of the job, creating a healthy
and supportive environment is the other. Teachers should have a
strong desire to have mentors in their classroom to ensure the

day goes smoother and their students have someone to

encourage them. Teachers and administrators should be reaching
out to schools with programs such as Compass to Campus and
requesting the help, not even for themselves, but to ensure a
positive future for their students.
If we put student mentors in the schools, especially mentors
that are in college themselves, they can not only offer students a
confidence boost, but also advice and guidance on the steps to
take to continue their education beyond high school. Essentially,
mentors would be giving students an opportunity to have
someone to go to when their parents arent an option.
College students would be gaining incredible hands on
experience working with youth in need. It would offer an
opportunity to learn from others, experience how others live their
lives, become more empowered to make decisions that will be
respected, gain recognition for your skills and experience, lead
one to benefit from a sense of fulfillment, enhance leadership
skills, and help develop communication skills. Not only would
mentoring lead to personal growth, but working with youth also

looks impressive on a resume, especially if one is hoping to

explore the educational field.
Every 1 in 3 people grow up without mentors. I truly believe
mentors are essential to youth that dont have someone at home
to be their backbone. Mentoring helps guarantee youth that there
is someone that cares about them, gives them confidence that
they dont have to deal with lifes challenges alone, and overall
make them feel that they matter. The National Mentoring
Partnership campaign stated that having a mentor leaves
students 55% more likely to attend college. For students that
dont have a parent at home encouraging them to attend college,
a mentor can make a huge impact to that 55%.
If students dont already have a constant built in support
system, we need to ensure that we can offer them one, and
providing mentors is the most effective and efficient way to go
about doing so.
Some may argue that other students arent the best role
models to youth, but I beg to differ. For those that are choosing to
mentor, they are the best possible people to have out in the

schools because they can provide students with insight on how

they went about situations in high school and overcame the
stressful encounters with late night assignments and class
presentations. Learning by example is sometimes the most
effective way. These students are also probably craving guidance,
and who better to receive it from then the people who Mentors
can provide positive inspiration to those that are in need of it.
I am currently a mentor through Compass to Campus which
is a class at Western Washington University that focuses on youth
mentoring and social justice. I have had the opportunity of
working with students and faculty at Sedro Woolley high school,
witnessing how my actions can positively impact the lives of
others. I have seen how my dedication to the students success
influences their efforts. Imagine how big of a change we can make
if every student has the opportunity to experience this.

Pictured are
student
mentors from
Compass to
Campus at
Western
Washington
University

So what do we think?
Can you imagine each student feeling as though people care
and want to see them excel? Right now only a small percentage of
students are lucky enough to have that, but its not hard to
ensure that all do. Can you envision each student being excited to
come to school because they know their mentor will be there with
a positive attitude ready to set them up for success?
Think about how impactful one person can be if they believe
in the students that no one else has faith in. With mentoring we
can provide a future for students that may believe they dont
have one because theres no strong role models to guide them.

If we get mentors out in schools, we can increase literacy

rates, graduation rates, and even something as complicated as
confidence. We can make an undeniable difference in others lives,
and who doesnt want to say that they made a positive impact?
Just think about it, and maybe give mentoring a shot yourself, you
never know whose life you may change, maybe itll even be your
own.

http://www.mentoring.org/why-mentoring/mentoring-impact/
http://www.childtrends.org/?indicators=parental-involvement-in-schools
http://www.nea.org/tools/17360.htm