Accelerated and Enriched Instruction → Gifted & Talented/Learning Disabled (GT/LD) Programs → WINGS Mentor Program

WINGS Mentor Program

Overview

 
 

The WINGS Mentor Program, coordinated by Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, is designed to provide additional support to gifted/learning disabled students and highly able students who are not succeeding in the regular education classroom.

Description

Students are paired with mentors who nurture them by increasing their knowledge and skills in an area of interest. The program is designed to focus on the students' strengths potential for success, rather than on their lack of achievement in specific areas. Through the unique one-to-one relationship, the mentors are able to help the students pursue exciting topics and offer positive reinforcement for their efforts and accomplishments.

The ultimate goal of the program is to help the students realize their creative and intellectual potential.

The mentors come directly to the school during the students’ regular school day for eight weeks, thus minimizing the disruption to the students’ educational program. During the weekly mentor sessions, the mentors direct the students in their selected topics and help them create a final product or project that will reflect the knowledge and skills acquired in the mentor program.

A "Show Off Night" is held at the end of each semester in which students are formally honored and celebrated as they share their knowledge and projects with teachers, family and friends.

Focus

The focus of the mentor experience is to:

  • Increase self-esteem
  • Work through student's areas of strengths and interests
  • Provide hands-on, success-oriented activities
  • Stimulate oral discussions and questioning
  • Validate students as successful learners

Selection

Students are usually recommended by their school or GT/LD Teacher Specialist to participate in the mentor program.

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