TeamMates Of The Month
Kris Costello and Le’Nya
Kris Costello and her mentee, Le'Nya, have been traveling around the world, taking in the culture, eating the foods, becoming versed in the facts about each country. And all without leaving Lincoln. TeamMates for three years, Kris and middle school student Le'Nya look for creative ways to express themselves and expand their horizons. | |
|
One activity is ‘traveling.' Le'Nya picks a country she's interested in and the two of them go about doing research for a month. China was a favorite place. The ‘tour' ended with Chinese food from a Lincoln restaurant.
Kris, who has a degree in interior design, finds Le'Nya attuned to creative arts as well. After looking over homework or doing math facts during their weekly meetings, the two often delve into music, art, and creative writing. Recently they've started ‘add-on' stories. Each writes for five minutes, they exchange papers, and add to their partner's story.
Some of their projects exercise both artistry and values. They make cards and write creative verses to share with others.
"It's most important to focus on a person's strengths," says Kris, a mother of three boys. Often she brings her sketch books and art media and Le'Nya learns to draw or paint -- or whatever she desires. To Le'Nya's delight, she's currently learning how to draw animals.
The two of them enjoy their time together. At the beginning of the year, they develop plans for the year. They include ‘what's it going to take to be successful,' and ‘who are the people who can help?' This has been a tremendous boost for all involved. Kris says it has helped Le'Nya think of how successful people have many coaches in their lives. Together they periodically check in on the progress -- most notably, on what's Le'Nya's responsibility.
"I am so proud of Le'Nya and look forward to observing her academic and personal successes," Kris says. Le'Nya received a TeamMates Student Achievement Award this past January.
 |  |
|
This one technique turned out to be a building block for achievement. According to Bryan, good notes led to better involvement in class, which led to better test grades, which led to less frustration and anger, which has resulted in an improved attitude, better grades and now a vision for the future.
"When my grades changed, my attitude followed," Bryan admits. "I never realized I had potential but people kept telling me I did. And now I get it!"
For the first time, Bryan has a goal in mind -- to graduate high school and go to college. He'd like to be a veterinarian.
"When I think about just the short time ago when I was getting D's and F's and now A's and B's, I'm amazed," says Bryan. He credits it to people who would not give up on him, including his mentor, Dwight.
"He's always there for me no matter what," Bryan says.
For Dwight, becoming a mentor was a natural fit, as he has been working with young people for more than 17 years. His day job is serving as executive director of Hub, an agency offering programs for young adults facing barriers in their lives. Volunteering as a TeamMate "is more about what I wanted to do rather than a professional obligation," says Dwight.
Dwight mentors two students -- Bryan and a young man in high school. He met Bryan in a book buddy program when Bryan was in the fifth grade. They clicked and continued together in the TeamMates program.
An "aha!" moment came for the two of them when Dwight was helping Bryan study for a science test. "I realized he got it -- he just needed to learn how to structure his learning process." So Dwight helped Bryan with better note taking and study habits.
"Everybody cares about him and wants him to succeed," Dwight says. "Now he's honoring their efforts."
Bryan admits it was hard to ask or accept help even if he wanted it. But he definitely appreciates everyone sticking with him.
"A mentor has the benefit of staying with students," according to Dwight. "The only job a mentor has is to be here, and support and encourage their mentee. It's basic -- it's what all people need."
Kathy Paisley and Terran
Kathy Paisley didn't think she had time to be a mentor -- until she became one. | |
|
"I just made time and found that things moved out of the way so I really did have time," says Kathy, who is the director of Ministry and Discipleship at Sheridan Lutheran Church. She's been a mentor to fifith-grader Terran for a year and a half.
The first semester was a bit of a challenge. "He would not open up and of course I wanted to see progress and that I was making a difference," she said. But second semester marked a turn around. The two bonded.
Kathy enjoys taking that one hour a week "to be a kid again" and play pool or shuffleboard with Terran "according to his rules," or play with his beloved Matchbox cars. "He really gets into his imagination when we play with the cars," Kathy notes, who is learning a number of ways and materials with which to build barricades and race tracks.
Perhaps one of the surprising things about being a TeamMate, says Kathy, was "how easy it is." "You don't have to know anything -- just show up and be there for them."
It's working for Terran. He says his favorite day of the week is Friday -- "when my TeamMate comes and I get my Backpack."
Kathy, who at one time operated a child care center, recommends TeamMates to anyone who likes people and who can play, be a kid again or get on a kid's level. "Just try it," she says, "it's definitely rewarding even if a person doesn't think they have time!"
- See past TeamMates of the Month
- Student and mentor award recipients
See who was inducted into the Mentors Hall of Fame and who received Student Achievement Awards in 2010. (As a policy, the last name of students is withheld).
