TeamMates programs connects adults, students
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, September 08, 2008
Volunteer mentor Laura Troth plays a game with Lewis and Clark Elementary School fourth grader Brendon Smires. Troth volunteers with the district's TeamMates program. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Fourth-grader Brendon Smires was happy to continue moving pieces around the board game, Sorry, while his opponent Laura Troth was being interviewed.
"Hey, are you playing for both of us?" Troth suddenly broke from the interview to ask the question.
"Yeah," Brendon giggled with a grin that went from ear to ear.
"Well, I guess that's OK," she mused, while Brendon continued rolling the dice and advancing around the board.
Troth and Smires are partners in the South Sioux City Community Schools' TeamMates Mentoring Program, a one-to-one, school-based program serving students in grades 3-12.
The mentors are adults (age 18 and older) who give an hour a week during the school day, meeting with one student. The meetings can consist of having lunch, doing puzzles, talking, playing a game, doing a craft, reading or any activity the two come up with. Mentors work with the teachers to insure a student isn't missing important class time or tests.
TeamMates is the largest mentoring program in Nebraska and one of the largest school-based mentoring programs in the U.S. About a year and a half ago, the program was introduced into the South Sioux district, explained Lorie Akins, district coordinator.
"There's many reasons we wanted to start the program in the district, but what we were hearing was that the program was very effective in the prevention of alcohol, drug and gang activity," she said. "But even something as simple as playing a game with an adult provides a student with social skills."
Akins, a lifelong South Sioux resident, said recruitment letters were initially sent out. Word-of-mouth took over to promote the program.
"Our best spokes people are the volunteers themselves," she insisted. "They talk about how much fun they are having, being a part of the program."
Teachers are also huge supporters, Akins added.
"The teachers say they see a difference in the student within two weeks of working with a mentor," she said. "Students are raising their hands quicker in class and getting along better with classmates."
Students are nominated by teachers, parents or school personnel for participation in the program, Akins said.
Troth has long been a SSC school supporter, but dropped off the radar after her daughter graduated in 2006.
"I thought it was time others, with kids in school, should step up to the plate and take over," she said.
A promotional TeamMates article appeared in the paper and Troth read it. Akins' husband Ed and Troth's husband Gary talked about it. Troth found it all intriguing, "particularly because it was a program that was happening on school property and during the school day."
Troth signed up and was accepted. She asked for a student from Lewis and Clark because it was close to her place of employment and she could use her lunch hour to meet with the student.
"That first meeting with Brendon was a bit nerve-wracking," Troth admitted. "I don't think either of us knew what to expect."
"At first I felt like something freaky was going on," Brendon said with a big sigh. "The next meeting was better."
TeamMates Troth, 48, and Smires, 9, spend time playing games inside or doing activities outside.
"I like how I don't have to do any work," Brendon confessed. "I brag to the other students."
It must have made an impression, Troth added.
"If I come and Brendon's not here, his classmates will say, 'Come, see me today!'" she said.
VITA
Name: Laura Troth
Hometown: Newcastle, Neb.; resident of Dakota City, Neb. for the past 10 years
Education: 1978 graduate of Newcastle High School; awarded an accounting degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College
Personal: Married to husband Gary for 18 years; two daughters
Professional: Office manager of Midwest Millwrights Inc., South Sioux City for the past five years
How she's making a difference: By volunteering with the TeamMates program.
"Hey, are you playing for both of us?" Troth suddenly broke from the interview to ask the question.
"Yeah," Brendon giggled with a grin that went from ear to ear.
"Well, I guess that's OK," she mused, while Brendon continued rolling the dice and advancing around the board.
Troth and Smires are partners in the South Sioux City Community Schools' TeamMates Mentoring Program, a one-to-one, school-based program serving students in grades 3-12.
The mentors are adults (age 18 and older) who give an hour a week during the school day, meeting with one student. The meetings can consist of having lunch, doing puzzles, talking, playing a game, doing a craft, reading or any activity the two come up with. Mentors work with the teachers to insure a student isn't missing important class time or tests.
TeamMates is the largest mentoring program in Nebraska and one of the largest school-based mentoring programs in the U.S. About a year and a half ago, the program was introduced into the South Sioux district, explained Lorie Akins, district coordinator.
"There's many reasons we wanted to start the program in the district, but what we were hearing was that the program was very effective in the prevention of alcohol, drug and gang activity," she said. "But even something as simple as playing a game with an adult provides a student with social skills."
Akins, a lifelong South Sioux resident, said recruitment letters were initially sent out. Word-of-mouth took over to promote the program.
"Our best spokes people are the volunteers themselves," she insisted. "They talk about how much fun they are having, being a part of the program."
Teachers are also huge supporters, Akins added.
"The teachers say they see a difference in the student within two weeks of working with a mentor," she said. "Students are raising their hands quicker in class and getting along better with classmates."
Students are nominated by teachers, parents or school personnel for participation in the program, Akins said.
Troth has long been a SSC school supporter, but dropped off the radar after her daughter graduated in 2006.
"I thought it was time others, with kids in school, should step up to the plate and take over," she said.
A promotional TeamMates article appeared in the paper and Troth read it. Akins' husband Ed and Troth's husband Gary talked about it. Troth found it all intriguing, "particularly because it was a program that was happening on school property and during the school day."
Troth signed up and was accepted. She asked for a student from Lewis and Clark because it was close to her place of employment and she could use her lunch hour to meet with the student.
"That first meeting with Brendon was a bit nerve-wracking," Troth admitted. "I don't think either of us knew what to expect."
"At first I felt like something freaky was going on," Brendon said with a big sigh. "The next meeting was better."
TeamMates Troth, 48, and Smires, 9, spend time playing games inside or doing activities outside.
"I like how I don't have to do any work," Brendon confessed. "I brag to the other students."
It must have made an impression, Troth added.
"If I come and Brendon's not here, his classmates will say, 'Come, see me today!'" she said.
VITA
Name: Laura Troth
Hometown: Newcastle, Neb.; resident of Dakota City, Neb. for the past 10 years
Education: 1978 graduate of Newcastle High School; awarded an accounting degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College
Personal: Married to husband Gary for 18 years; two daughters
Professional: Office manager of Midwest Millwrights Inc., South Sioux City for the past five years
How she's making a difference: By volunteering with the TeamMates program.
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