Volunteer Position Title: Classroom Mentor – Destination Graduation
Goals and Purpose of Destination Graduation:
Destination Graduation is a collaborative initiative that helps districts respond to the first signs
that a student is falling off track through the use of innovative technology, and by leveraging resources
and partnerships to provide tiered interventions during the critical period of middle school to high
school transition.
Through Destination Graduation we use early warning systems technology to identify students
in need of support and provide in-class mentors and resource coordinators on campus to provide
support so students gain the skills necessary for success in college, work and life. Current partnering
districts include Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD), Phoenix Elementary School District (PESD),
and Balsz Elementary School District.
Goal and Purpose of Classroom Mentor:
Volunteers are needed to participate in a classroom mentoring program at Central High School
during the 2014-15 school year. The mentoring program is based on a teacher-led curriculum designed
to increase resiliency skills in 9th grade students by exploring their current lives, motivators, actions and
goals. The program builds trusting relationships between the educator, mentor and students based on
their mutual goal of success.
Major Roles and Responsibilities:
As a Classroom Mentor, you will help empower students to – become invested in their own
educational success, understand that success in school is relevant to achieving their life goals, and
achieve academic success through better attendance, better grades, and better relationships with
teachers, their families and peers. Volunteer mentors participate in facilitating activities and small group
discussions. Lesson plans have been previously developed and will be provided at program orientation.
Time Commitment:
Volunteer Classroom Mentors are expected to make a time commitment of one hour (9:30am10:10am) 2 Wednesdays of every month for the 2014-15 school-year (August 2014-May 2015). A yearlong commitment is required to ensure best practices for a classroom mentoring relationship.
Location:
Central High School
4525 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1889
Supervision and Reporting:
As a Volunteer Classroom Mentor, the regular classroom teacher will be in the classroom at all
times to provide management and are also invited to participate in the activities when able. If you are
experiencing any difficulties with your assignment, Valley of the Sun United Way will do everything
possible to ensure that issues are resolved and that your experience is valuable. VSUW will be
conducting weekly status checks, but should you have concerns at any point, contact VSUW immediately
and we will be happy to discuss your concerns and find a suitable solution for you.
Training:
All Volunteer Classroom Mentors will receive training provided by Phoenix Youth at Risk.
Program Orientation will be provided by Central High School, Valley of the Sun United Way,
Communities in Schools and Be a Leader Foundation. Training will assist volunteers on best practices for
mentorship, navigating lesson plans, and what to expect from a 9th grader and a typical 9th grade
classroom setting.