From Mentee to Mentor
Rebecca, become a mentee with TTMP in April of 2011, when she was just 10 years old. She recently became a mentor herself in the peer mentoring program. When asked why she would be a good mentor to a younger students she wrote, "I think I will be a good mentor to my mentee because I have such a great mentor in Rita."
I recently sat down with both Rebecca and Rita to reflect on the past five years together, and the importance mentoring for our community and as individuals.
What do you like to do together?
Rebecca: Baking, playing board games. Remember in Othello, when I beat you once?
Rita: She doesn't give up, that's a good quality in Rebecca.
Rebecca and Rita, you have been matched for 5 years (last month was your 5 year anniversary, happy anniversary!)
Rebecca, you were only 10 years old, and you are now 15 years old. How has your relationship changed?
Rita: Rebecca is very quiet and I am the opposite of that. I like to tease her about that. Rebecca has come out of herself more. Now she talks more and I talk less, we balance each other out now.
Rebecca: The activities have changed since I have gotten older, but I have always had fun.
Rebecca you just became a mentor yourself with the peer mentoring program. How did your friendship with Rita influence your decision to become a peer mentor?
Rebecca: Because I wanted to be as good of a mentor as you are Rita, but I hope to be just half that.
Rita: You'll be amazing, and have fun with Iris.
Rebecca what do you hope your mentee gets out of having a mentor?
Rebecca: That you can be a good influence for another person. You can be in your community and help people out. I also want to have fun with my mentee.
What have you gained from having a mentor in your life?
Rebecca: I have gained a lot. I have been less shy. I communicate with people a lot more. I am a lot more open than I used to be.
Rita, what have you gained by mentoring Rebecca for the past five years?
Rita: So many things. Friendship. An opportunity to see what life is like for her. Being ten and fifteen is different than when I was ten and fifteen! For me, it is an opportunity to be unselfish with my time and think about what Rebecca would like to do, and enjoy that.
I recently sat down with both Rebecca and Rita to reflect on the past five years together, and the importance mentoring for our community and as individuals.
What do you like to do together?
Rebecca: Baking, playing board games. Remember in Othello, when I beat you once?
Rita: She doesn't give up, that's a good quality in Rebecca.
Rebecca and Rita, you have been matched for 5 years (last month was your 5 year anniversary, happy anniversary!)
Rebecca, you were only 10 years old, and you are now 15 years old. How has your relationship changed?
Rita: Rebecca is very quiet and I am the opposite of that. I like to tease her about that. Rebecca has come out of herself more. Now she talks more and I talk less, we balance each other out now.
Rebecca: The activities have changed since I have gotten older, but I have always had fun.
Rebecca you just became a mentor yourself with the peer mentoring program. How did your friendship with Rita influence your decision to become a peer mentor?
Rebecca: Because I wanted to be as good of a mentor as you are Rita, but I hope to be just half that.
Rita: You'll be amazing, and have fun with Iris.
Rebecca what do you hope your mentee gets out of having a mentor?
Rebecca: That you can be a good influence for another person. You can be in your community and help people out. I also want to have fun with my mentee.
What have you gained from having a mentor in your life?
Rebecca: I have gained a lot. I have been less shy. I communicate with people a lot more. I am a lot more open than I used to be.
Rita, what have you gained by mentoring Rebecca for the past five years?
Rita: So many things. Friendship. An opportunity to see what life is like for her. Being ten and fifteen is different than when I was ten and fifteen! For me, it is an opportunity to be unselfish with my time and think about what Rebecca would like to do, and enjoy that.
