2. Welcome: Agenda & Objectives
Agenda:
Welcome
Apprenticeships
The Student Experience
Close
Objectives:
Understand the mentor role and
expectations
Identify and discuss approaches to working
with middle school students
Connect with fellow mentors to share
ideas and provide support
3. Welcome:
Why Become a Mentor?
Introduce a student to your
career and field
Rediscover your passion for
your profession
Invest in your community
Connect with like-minded
individuals in Spark’s
network of professionals and
partners
Engage in the conversation of
education reform and attend
exciting Spark events
5. Apprenticeships:
Goals & Expectations
Apprenticeship goals:
To help your student learn about him or herself
To connect with your student
To introduce your student to your career and career
possibilities for them
Every session should:
Include a hands-on activity related to your field
Represent progress towards your Discovery Project
Address how what you’re doing relates to your
student’s education and social & emotional
development
6. Apprenticeships:
Session At-a-Glance
Week 1-2
Get to know each other
Introduce student to office & various aspects of your
work
Week 3-4
Brainstorm and plan for Discovery Night project
Set goals & milestones for project
Week 5-8
Encourage student ownership of project
Goal of each session should be related to milestone
7. Apprenticeships:
A Day in the Life
3:00–3:15pm: Check-in
3:15–3:30pm: Review and goal-setting
3:30–4:15pm: Activity one – learning a new skill
4:15–4:45pm: Discovery Project work time
4:45–5:00pm: Reflection and next session planning
9. Apprenticeships:
Spark Staff Support
Your Program Coordinator will connect with
you weekly to provide support
Make sure you set aside 10-15 minutes each
week for this important check-in
We will also ask for your feedback in a survey
at the end of the session
You have the opportunity to check in with a
Mentor Coach as well
12. Apprenticeships:
Mentor’s Responsibilities
Student Safety & Expectations
Workplace site clearance
Food/ Gifts
Media Release/ Social Media
Communication with Spark Staff
Rescheduling/ Student Attendance
Student Transportation
Waiver
SAP
Support
Preparing Apprenticeship Activities & Final Project
13. The Student Experience:
Engaging Middle School Youth
Middle School students have a
desire for self-expression and self-
determination
A preference for hands-on learning
that is personally relevant
An expanding awareness of social,
cultural, and environmental issues
A growing concern for peer
approval
A sense of awkwardness and self-
consciousness associated with the
onset of puberty
www.in.gov/indot/files/TipSheetEMSS.pdf
14. Scenario 1:
Quiet Student
It is your first day meeting with your student. He
comes into your office and won’t look you in the
eyes. When you show him new things about your
job, he doesn’t say anything. When you ask him
about school he just says “it’s fine.” He seems
bored and unhappy.
What do you do?
15. Scenario 2:
Expectations Mis-Match
You are a fashion designer and are very excited
about an activity you have planned for the day.
When your student arrives, you ask her to look
through the books and magazines in your office,
choose five famous fashion designers, and write a
paragraph about what they like about each
designer. As she starts to do the activity, it
becomes clear that she is having trouble reading
the articles and her writing skills are very weak.
What do you do?
16. Scenario 3:
Unclear Actions
On your sixth meeting, your student is working on
her Discovery Night Project, and you get an
important call. You leave the room for five
minutes, and when you return she quickly hides
something in her bag. She seems flustered and
embarrassed.
What do you do?
17. Scenario 4:
Inappropriate Question
On your third meeting, your student asks if you
have ever used illegal drugs. This makes you
uncomfortable.
How do you respond?
18. Scenario 5:
Undocumented
When you tell your student about the trip you
took to Europe last year, she responds by telling
you that she can’t go to Europe because she
doesn’t have the right papers.
How do you respond?
19. Scenario 6:
Student Safety
Your student tells you that if he is late for dinner
his mom will hit him. It’s hard for you to tell if he
is joking; his mom seems nice, but he also came
to his apprenticeship one day with a bruise on his
face.
How do you respond?
20. Scenario 7:
Travel Logistics
Part 1: You are expecting your student to arrive
at 3pm today. At 3:30pm your student has still
not arrived. You try calling your student’s cell
phone number, and it goes straight to voicemail.
What do you do?
Part 2: Your student calls you at 5:30pm and says
they’re sorry they couldn’t come today. When
you ask why they didn’t attend, they say
something came up. What do you do?
21. The Student Experience:
Strategies for Engaging Middle School Youth
Ice Breakers!
Be Clear & Consistent Be Open
LISTEN
Share
HAVE FUN!
Keep It Interactive
Be Safe
Authentic Learning
Student Voice & Choice
Relate
Learning to
Student’s Life
