There are always two sides to every story, and when it comes to mentoring, the same rule applies. For those seeking a mentor, there is the need for an outside perspective and a desire to unlock our full potential. When seeking mentoring opportunities, we want to pay it forward and to share our knowledge, skills, and compassion with someone else. Mentoring is a powerful tool, and no matter which side you’re on, it’s a relationship that benefits all involved.
This National Mentoring Month, we’re highlighting stories from both sides of the spectrum—the mentor and the mentee—and how the relationship can help create new perspectives, develop new skills, and present new opportunities.
In Baltimore, Maryland, young members of the Waverly Star Wars 4-H STEM Club (part of the 4-H National Mentoring Program)Â held a community service project in which they held a fun, interactive demonstration and workshop on coding and robotics. Although under the supervision of adult mentors, club members between the ages of five and eight years old led the session during the 2017 Maryland STEM Festival to teach students about coding through the Daisy the Dinosaur coding app.
As a result of their participation, club members learned the importance of peer mentoring, giving back to their community, and developed leadership skills. Through their learning, they didn’t let their age be a barrier to making an impact.
Even Baltimore City Council Woman Mary Pat Clarke (District 14), took notice and applauded the youth for their knowledge and leadership.
The program described here is funded through grants from OJJPD, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this page (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
