Are You Smarter Than a Ninth Grader?

Tips for Mentoring a P-Tech Student

October 2016Mary Westermann

GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab 10

Hopewell Junction, NY

Are You Smarter Than a Ninth Grader?

What is a P-TECH School?Excelsior AcademyWhy does STEAM matter?Mentoring TipsTop 10 Characteristics of TeenagersSummaryQuestions

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What is a P-TECH School?

Context

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What is a P-TECH School?

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)A new grade 9-14 public school model focused on STE(A)M fields and Career and

Technical EducationMission

Enable students to master the skills they need to either graduate with a no-cost Associates in Applied Science degree which will enable them to secure an entry-level position in a growing STEM industry or to continue and complete a four-year degree

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What is a P-TECH School?

Key TenetsSystemic Partnership: K-12, higher education (typically a community college) and industryPublic School Model: Open to all students at no costEarly College: Six-year scope and sequence integrating high school and college course work leading

to an AAS degree for all studentsCareer Readiness: Integrating course work with industry experiencePersonal Pathways: Focus on mastery not time spent in school to enable students to graduate in 4, 5 or

6 years

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What is a P-TECH School?

Key Innovation: Industry PartnershipIndustry is a full partner in all aspects of the schoolIndustry has special responsibility over the Workplace Learning umbrella

Skills mapping to ensure graduates are ready to enter the workplace and/or pursue higher educationWorkplace Learning curriculumMentors for all students Workplace experiences: Speakers, worksite visits, job shadowingSkills-based, paid internships“First in line” for jobs

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Opened in 2014Located in Newburgh, New York Student Demographics

150 students (Grades 9, 10 and 11)54% male and 46% female54% Hispanic, 32% Black, 13% White and 1% Asian95% Attendance Rate

Academic Achievements90% pass rate for New York State Regents Exam in

U. S. History76% pass rate for New York State Regents Exam in

Algebra I74% of 10th grade students enrolled in college

coursework (Spring 2016)

Why does STEAM matter?

Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) model presents a hands-on approachProblem solvingCollaborationCritical thinking Experimentation

Concrete example taken from Meghan Reilly Michaud in her article, “STEAM: Adding art to STEM education”“In mathematics, for example, students learn the geometric transformation of dilation. In an introductory visual arts course, students learn perspective. In science, students study the

effect of light on pupil response in the eye. And in a history class, the way Renaissance artists viewed the world is examined.”

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Why does STEAM matter?

National Science Foundation is funding STEAM programs and workshopsNational Endowment for the Arts is “pushing for Artscience initiatives – intersecting art, science and technology.”John Maeda, President of the Rhode Island School of Design (school at the forefront of STEAM) said:

“With global competition rising, America is at a critical juncture in defining its economic future. I believe that art and design are poised to transform our economy in the 21st century in the same way that science and technology did in the last century, and the STEAM movement is an opportunity for America to sustain its role as innovator of the world.”

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Mentoring Tips

Spend sufficient time getting to know one another Develop rapport initially

Realize your mentee may come from a very different background than you and learn to appreciate those differencesLISTEN – just listening will develop trust (don’t criticize or judge)Practice sensitivity and be aware of any inherent bias so as not to affect your judgment and treatment of your mentee

Meet on a regular basisTeens rely on consistencyCome prepared and use the time well

Be positive, be encouraging and offer concrete assistance

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Mentoring Tips

Follow through on your commitmentsRespect the trust the teenager places in youShow them you understand and are committed to the relationship

Be open to learning new approachesPeriodically reflect on what YOU are learning from your menteeExpect to make changes as you progress in your relationship

Don’t try to be a parent or authority figureBe aware, though, of any “problem situations” and report them appropriately

Let your mentee have control over what the two of you talk about and how you talk about itDon’t push, be sensitive and aware of different communication styles

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Mentoring Tips

Don’t be intimidated if you find your mentee is “smarter” than you (especially with social media)

ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER YOU are responsible for building the relationshipTake responsibility for making and maintaining contactDon’t expect too much feedback from your mentee

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Top 10 Characteristics of Teenagers

1. Independent2.Emotional3.Rebellious4.Energetic5.Adventurous6.Risk Taking7.Physically maturing / hormonal8.Sexually aware9.Social10.Growing intellectually Sound familiar? Remember what you were like as a teenager?

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SUMMARY P-Tech Schools are transforming students’ lives (

www.ptech.org) by providing them with both a high school diploma and an AAS degree

Mentoring a P-Tech student is extremely rewarding (especially if the tips I have outlined are followed)

Keep in mind the “TOP 10” list of teenage characteristics when working with teenage mentees

Always remember YOU are the one responsible for building the relationship with your teenage mentee and you are “smarter than a 9th grader…”

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Questions

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