Momentous Mentorship
The Parent Mentor Convention might have been 2 weeks ago but we are still feeling the love-love! This year, ACE was front and center with our leaders getting an opportunity to join together with educational and political leaders from across the state. Ms. Denise Sanders, Founding ACE Team member and Parent Mentor Organizer, even got a hug from Mayor Brandon Johnson, as she co-chaired and emceed the record-breaking event.
Unfortunately, Ms. April Clay, a new member of the ACE Team, did not get a chance to share her testimony at the Convention due to schedule conflicts, so our Parent Mentors made sure to give April the space to voice her experience at their weekly meeting and in this update:
“I want to share with you all how being a part of the Parent Mentor Program has made an impact and helped me grow in so many different ways. I have gained skills such as learning new ways when working with children and networking with others. Before I became a Parent Mentor with The ACE Project at Washington Elementary, I was working in a warehouse. I was let go due to an unlawful termination. Being laid off caused so much hardship, I was out of work for four months. I constantly tried to find work but didn’t have any luck. I never gave up, I just kept going even though it was hard.
I have three children that attend Washington Elementary. One day, I saw a Parent Mentor Program flyer in the main office when dropping my kids off. I spoke to the Washington Coordinator, Ms. Ilena Rice, and we set up an interview the next day. I went through the interview process and later started working the program. I was excited to hear that I could start. I attended all the meetings and trainings, met with other new parents and coordinators. I learned so much on what we were going to be doing in the classrooms as well as the outside projects we can do.
I was ready. I stayed consistent in coming every day to be the best I can be as a Parent Mentor. I did it and gave my very best to the program.
My first time in the classroom with a second grade teacher, I was so surprised at how well the kids adapted and trusted me. They were polite and total sweethearts. Going everyday only grew our attachment to each other. If my students did not see me, they would be on me about it. They made sure of that. My teacher allows me to work with my students on different things like counting money, sounding out words, vowel sounds, etc. We also did arts and crafts activities together.
I am so happy to have met the Organizer, Ms. Denise Sanders, and the Coordinator, Ms. Rice. They are incredibly supportive in anything we do and if we need advice. They are there and will always give you a shoulder to lean on. We are a family that sticks together and that is what I also love about this program. They have helped me with a lot of things and shared so many resources that were helpful to me and others around me. I love the joyful, fun, loving environment. Participating in different events and going to the meetings has allowed me to experience a lot. Even through difficult times as a Parent Mentor, I was supported the entire time and I was so confident that this was my calling—to work with children because I got through it.
All my years, I worked at a warehouse and did hard jobs. I never thought I would be working at my children’s school. Just by making that phone call gave me the opportunity to join this amazing program. Not only did it give me an opportunity to be in the school but to work in the school district. I am honored and truly happy that I was given this opportunity to be a part of this Parent Mentor Program. Thank you the ACE Project.”
Congratulations to all our Parent Mentors for their many successes in and beyond the classroom this school year!
Click here to learn more about the Parent Mentor Program.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Parent Mentor.