Introduction To MEGA Mentors MEGA Orientation For All Grades

MEGA Mentors Mission: The mission of MEGA Mentors of Chesterfield County is to make a positive measurable difference in the lives of African American and other under represented students in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Objectives: Provide group and/or one-on-one mentoring experiences Increase awareness of higher education and career opportunities for students and parents Teach the values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, EFFORT and ACHIEVEMENT to: Increase personal and scholastic achievement Decrease disciplinary incidents among African American students (detention and expulsions) Improve the graduation rate Engage parents as needed or as appropriate.

TOGETHER WE DISCOVER SUCCESS Why Are We Here? We do not get paid. We are here because we care. We are here to help you think about options and your future We are here to share what we have learned if YOU want to listen to it We are here to coach you to Success We are not here to baby sit We are not here as an excuse to get out of class We are not here to put up with disrespect and bad behavior TOGETHER WE DISCOVER SUCCESS Ad lib. Tell your personal story. Talk about why you are mentoring and what it means to you

Why are You Here? Why are You here? What do you hope to get out of being a mentee? Ask students to take 3 minutes and write down answers to these questions. At the end ask students to state answers and make comments 3-5 minutes. Then introduce what we believe are keys to success. RESPECT,RESPONSIBILITY< EFFORT ACHIEVEMENT

Four Core Values Respect Responsibility Effort Achievement Ask students to define each value in their own words. Around the room 2-3 responses per value. Afterwards ask the students why are these values important

Questions What is your definition of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, EFFORT and ACHIEVEMENT? WHY are these values important? Next slide, define respect and ask students to give examples of how they demonstrate respect. Organize in teams of 4-5.

RESPECT Respect How do you demonstrate RESPECT? Noun: a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something The people have a lot of respect for the president. Most of us were taught to have respect for our parents, teachers and elders. -- Verb: admire deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities or achievements She was respected by everyone she worked with. I respect you for what you did. How do you demonstrate RESPECT? “Self respect must be learned before you can respect others”

“I am responsible for what I do” RESPONSIBILITY Responsibility (Responsible) Adjective: involving personal accountability able to be trusted or depended upon able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations Are you responsible enough to drive a car? Mowing the lawn is your responsibility I am responsible for doing my homework. Give examples of how you demonstrate responsibility “I am responsible for what I do”

“ Without effort nothing happens” Noun: a serious attempt to do something The total work done to achieve a particular end He put a lot of effort in making good grades If you do not make an effort to complete the test, you will fail. How have you recently demonstrated effort? “ Without effort nothing happens”

ACHIEVEMENT Achievement Name your Proudest Achievement Noun: something that has been done or a result gained through effort The discovery of DNA was a major scientific achievement. Making the football team was a great achievement. Name your Proudest Achievement “Achievement is not given, it is earned” Remind the class that every week , they will be asked to talk about the values