ALL Management Corporation ©2014 12/17/2015 ALL Management Corporation ©2015

Middle Grade Leadership: Cultivating a Schoolwide Success Culture Through Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

Approximately 16 million youth nationwide have no mentor of any kind.

(The Mentoring Effect, 2014)

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Introduction

Empowering Students

Tapping into “peer power” to build a schoolwide success culture.

Peer-to-Peer Learning

Learning through Leading

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

Cultivating Schoolwide Success

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Student Voice – Adora Svitak, Malcolm London

(Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids; TED2010 - http://www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak) (Malcolm London: "High School Training Ground”; TEDTalks Education 2013 - http://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_london_high_school_training_ground)

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Student-Driven Success

The motivation, planning, and perseverance needed for high school graduation,

college completion, and career success

all begin in the middle grades.

Students in the middle grades are driven by peer approval, strive to be independent,

and prefer real-life experiences and authentic learning activities.

Empowering student agency in the middle grades can increase motivation, engagement, and commitment to the learning process.

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Student Agency

Peer-to-Peer Learning

• Also known as reciprocal peer learning; equal contributions, two-way sharing.

• Students in a supportive peer cohort; set up their own personalized learning space.

• Teacher as a facilitator or “coach”; provides need-supportive teaching.

• Learning through real-world activities, life skills, career and college exploration.

• Including team-building, cooperative learning, reflective discussions, collaborative projects.

• Cognitive and noncognitive development: SEL, 21st century skills, developmental assets.

(Framework for 21st Century Learning, 2015) (CCC Middle Grades Research Series: Peer-to-Peer Learning Pedagogy, 2015)

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Student Agency

Learning through Leading

A way to enhance peer-to-peer learning is through student leadership.

Students who are more personally vested in their school experiences are more likely to stay in school and succeed in school.

Middle grade students need leadership opportunities that include:

• Planning, problem solving, decision making, and helping others.

• Projects that allow them to make meaningful contributions.

• Opportunities to learn physical, intellectual, social and emotional skills.

(The Role of Supportive School Environments in Promoting Academic Success, 2005) (Youth in the Middle: Envisioning and Implementing a Whole-School Youth Development Approach, 2010)

Middle grade students need to develop and express leadership skills as part of their

emerging adolescent identity.

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Student Agency

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

• Student-led activities, projects, events, and services schoolwide.

• All created and done by students themselves; facilitated by adult “coach.”

• Providing fun, engaging, and meaningful experiences that appeal to their peers.

• Setting up their own learning space and campus environment.

• Including community projects and family activities to reinforce external assets.

• Providing career and college knowledge, advice, and planning for future success.

(Career & College Clubs, 2015) (ACT Evaluating the Effectiveness of Career & College Clubs, 2015)

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Student Agency

Advantages of Peer Mentoring

• Peer mentors also have more consistent access to other students in ways that adult staff do not (such as during lunchtime, through social media, calling them at home), and thus they can provide continual support.

• Peer mentors come from a position of real understanding, and thus relate to other students on an equal level. They “speak the same language.”

• Peer mentors often plan events that are distinct from those that adults would do. Example: setting up a basketball game where the teams represent two different colleges, and then at half-time conducting a college trivia game.

Peer groups are highly influential, especially in the middle grades, and thus can be a positive influence.

• Peer mentoring provides students with a supportive peer group and academic assistance, while also increasing self-esteem and friendship, which helps cultivate a positive school environment.

(Youth Organizing for Education Reform, 2011) [Healthy Relationships and Building Developmental Assets, 2011)

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Student Agency

Impact of Peer Mentoring

Research confirms the positive impact of peer mentoring on both sides.

• Connectedness to school and other students

• Feelings of competency and self-efficacy

• Grades and academic achievement

• Pro-social behaviors and attitudes

• Self-esteem and confidence

• Empathy and moral reasoning

• Intrapersonal communication and conflict-resolution skills

• Setting an overall positive tone for schoolwide success

The extent to which students feel connected and respected in school contributes to academic tenacity and predicts academic success.

(Building Effective Peer Mentoring Services, 2008) (UK Youth’s Peer Mentoring Qualifications Information Pack, 2014)

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Best Practices for Success

Strategies for Setup

Decide on the focus of your program. Peer mentoring can range in focus from anti-bullying, to advising new students, to career and college readiness.

Peer mentoring programs should include these components:

• A program model grounded in youth development

• A plan for recruitment and selection of peer mentors

• Training and ongoing skill development for peer mentors

• Framework of activities as a springboard for learning

• Supportive adult as coach for peer mentors

• Monitoring and evaluating of program process

Peer mentoring programs need to be well designed, properly implemented, appropriately run, and regularly evaluated.

(Building Effective Peer Mentoring Services, 2008) (Changing the Culture: Ideas for Student Action, 2012)

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Best Practices for Success

Strategies for Setup

A good way to ensure your program goals are being met is to develop a logic model; or implement a prepared program that includes one (and align it with your school goals).

(Career & College Clubs, 2015) (Building Effective Peer Mentoring Services, 2008)

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Best Practices for Success

While some mentors may be top students, best practices encourage including diverse abilities and recruiting students who show leadership qualities with peers.

Strategies for Recruiting Mentors

• Recommendations from teachers.

• Using the school’s daily announcements.

• School newsletters and social media.

• Putting up posters in the counseling center.

• Making presentations in relevant classes.

• Promoting your program to other student groups.

• Asking students directly; having a sign-up table during lunch.

(Career & College Clubs, 2015) (Building Effective Peer Mentoring Services, 2008)

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Best Practices for Success

Strategies for Training Mentors

Middle grade students typically don’t have many life experiences to refer to, thus they need training on how to be a mentor, tips for being supportive to others, and an adult “coach” backup.

Common areas of skill training for peer mentors include:

• Communication • Active listening

• Positive feedback • Conflict resolution

• Team strategies • Organizational skills

A mentor is “a wise and trusted adviser and role model,” who is understanding, supportive, and empowering of others.

(Building Effective Peer Mentoring Services, 2008) (National Dropout Prevention Center: Mentoring/Tutoring, 2015)

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Best Practices for Success

Strategies for Training Mentors

Peer mentors should also learn skills for distributed leadership, to provide opportunities that empower other students, such as:

• Involving the entire team in decision-making

• Leadership roles for school and community projects

• Opportunities for recognition and appreciation

• Developing and applying practical life skills

• Encouraging positive supportive relationships

• Partnering with adults at school and in the community

Peer mentors can be a valuable driving force in developing a schoolwide success culture by advocating achievement, engagement, and connectedness.

(Student Leadership Distribution, 2012) (UK Youth’s Peer Mentoring Qualifications Information Pack, 2014)

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Best Practices for Success

Mentors in Action

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More Leaders in Action – ‘Engaging’ Video

(Derek Sivers: How to Start a Movement, TEDTalk 2010 - http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement

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Discussion

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Conclusion

Karen Hall Education Coordinator Career & College Clubs

(310) 242-8809 khall@allmc.org

www.careerandcollegeclubs.org

Next Webinar: Middle Grade Empowerment: Teachers as Coaches of Student-Driven Learning and Leadership

Webinar On-Demand: http://careerandcollegeclubs.org/webinar-series/