Need help with schoolwork? Want to help others with schoolwork? Need a friend to chat with? Want something to put on your college application? Peer mentoring is the place for you!
Peer mentoring is a club designed to guide middle school and high school students’ academic journeys, fostering a dynamic relationship between learners and mentors.
The club is showcased to the students during both middle school and high school club fairs, where students are exposed to a wide array of clubs and their respective offerings.
The Peer Mentoring Club occurs every Monday night from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. in North High’s library. The club is led by Mr. Zimmerman and Ms. Verderose, along with several high school students volunteering to assist middle school students.
The mentoring program allows students to develop connections and recognize the importance of education. Specifically designed to pair eager middle school learners with high school mentors from various grades, the club focuses on developing relationships and promoting the significance of academic success throughout the high school years.
“Peer mentoring helps and allows me to share my knowledge with the young minds and help navigate them through their middle school years,” said sophomore Ben Rokhsar.
It also offers the opportunity to have a friend with whom one can talk about various issues.
“In the peer mentoring club, I try to create a helping and loving environment and make it enjoyable for kids to learn,” said senior Meital Ashirzadeh. “As the middle schoolers learn from upperclassmen, I am also able to learn from them.”
Having served as the club’s director, Mr. Zimmerman has witnessed its collective growth and diverse connections with both middle school and high school students. Some of the connections originated in the classroom, where he was able to deepen those relationships, while others blossomed outside the confines of formal education.
“I really love my position here at the mentoring program because I get to meet kids who aren’t typically in my classroom, and I also get to see my old high school students who have grown and developed into fine young people,” said Mr. Zimmerman
Middle school students not only gain social development and academic assistance, but mentors also find value in the experience.
“I like to help others with work, and the students get to improve on work and enjoy the help,” said junior Joyce Fu.
The mentoring program presents numerous avenues for the personal growth of high school students. Not only does it aid in enhancing their resumes, but also offers a platform for growth.
Moreover, it provides a chance to give back to the community by assisting younger students intellectually, academically, socially, and emotionally.
“I see peer mentoring as a great opportunity for the kids to learn how to build good study habits and allow them to develop socially,” said senior Saia Kalash.
Mr. Zimmerman’s perspective encapsulates the essence of the Peer Mentoring program.
“It’s a win-win for everybody,” said Mr. Zimmerman.
This sentiment captures the reciprocated benefits incorporated into the essence of this initiative.
As we reflect on the club’s presence at club fairs, the commitment of mentors every Monday night, and the impact on students, it becomes clear that peer mentoring is more than just an academic support system; it’s a dynamic community that encourages growth, learning, and mutual support.
Beyond the confines of formal education, this program shapes connections and cultivates an environment where success is a collective achievement.
As Mr. Zimmerman and Ms. Verderose extend appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this transformative journey, the spirit of a “win-win” situation resonates throughout, echoing the positive influence of peer mentoring on both mentors and mentees.
