Enriching ELD education through mentoring

Student mentors are eager to meet with ELD students around campus during the day to chat about classes and resolve any problems they may have.

The Peer ELD Mentoring Program began in 2013 under the supervision of ELD Mentoring Program Coordinator Ms. Teresa Huang and former Principal Ms. Mary Jo Fosselman-King after they noticed that ELD students had trouble fitting in with mainstream students. To bridge the language barrier and cultural differences, they recruited peer mentors to help ELD students connect, enjoy school events and practice English outside of the classroom.

At the start of the school year, Ms. Huang assigns ELD students one or two mentors to form small groups of the same gender and grade level. Mentors meet with their mentees weekly to help with classwork, practice English language development and form friendships. Although initially available to only ELD 1 students, the program has since expanded to include all ELD classes.

“Our goal is to continue supporting the acculturation process that ELD students experience here at TCHS,” Ms. Huang said. “We want to give our students the opportunity to become bicultural as they are becoming bilingual, and successfully navigate the transition between two very different cultures.”

Ms. Huang meets with mentors monthly to train them in advising and counseling and to check on how their mentees are doing. Mentors are expected to be open-minded, supportive,  compassionate and patient with mentees and students.

“Participating in this program not only teaches my mentee about my culture, but also allows me to learn about their culture and traditions,” Sophomore Diane Zhao said. “The most enjoyable thing is seeing my mentee gradually progress throughout the year and begin to relate more with other students and me.”

In addition to weekly meetups, the program organizes monthly holiday luncheons and dinners for mentors, mentees and their parents. The program recently held its annual Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 13.

Each year, the program coordinates a 10-week support group during first semester as well. During these weekly meetings, new ELD students discuss family and friendship values, internet and personal safety, effective communication skills and other topics that may help with the acculturation process. The support group also plans community visits, such as presentations from the TC Sheriff and a tour of City Hall.

Together in groups, mentees are additionally encouraged to participate in more school activities by attending football games, school dances and the musical.

Ms. Huang’s hopes to extend the program’s parent outreach as well. During an ELD meeting last year, Pasadena Community College representatives conducted a presentation fully in Mandarin about a student’s possible career pathways after high school. This year, Ms. Huang wants to reach out to parents more frequently and provide them with similar resources.

Like most on campus organizations, mentor applications open in the spring. All applicants must be a sophomore or older and be dedicated to a year-long commitment with the program. Teachers or former mentors may also recommend applicants to Mrs. Huang.

“It’s not just about learning English or a new culture, but it’s also about us learning their culture,” Ms. Huang said. “Seeing students become friends, enjoying themselves and becoming better people is what I enjoy most about our program.”