More than two dozen of the district’s mentors in the mentor program gathered for the appreciation breakfast held since 2019. The event served as a thank you to all the mentors who take time out of their busy schedules to invest in the lives of our students by spending time, being a positive role model, and ultimately, a friend.
Several stories were highlighted as success of mentees and mentors at Binghamton. One of which was of a BCSD student who came into the program being someone who consistently got in fights, spoke inappropriately, and had anger outbursts turned their life around in part by their mentor. Fast forward to today -- they have been getting along better with teachers and their peers, and was on a team that finished in the top five in Broome-Tioga BOCES' recent app creation challenge.
The success of mentees were very much on display: Many mentees have been chosen as "line leaders" at our elementary schools, another one was selected to perform at the Broome County Music Educators Association Music Festival... the stories go on and on.
The mentors themselves were also placed in the spotlight, especially one of the youngest: Binghamton University senior Patrick Saint Ange. Starting as a mentor in the 2019-2020 school year, Patrick has been with his mentee, who is now in middle school, ever since, even during the pandemic. He even started a club at Binghamton University that helps connects university students with the mentorship program and encourages them to become mentors. During the past month and a half, the club has helped recruit approximately 20 new mentors.
Congratulations mentors on another amazing year… we appreciate the love and care you have for our students!
If you are interested in becoming a mentor to a student in the Binghamton City School District, click here or email Mentor NOW Coordinator Mary Ann Dorner at dornerm@binghamtonschools.org.
