Opinion
Op-Ed: CAP mentoring a community asset
Published
8 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Marci Lewandowski EBS Contributor
I began mentoring at Ophir Elementary School more than two years ago. Prior to moving to Big Sky, I worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County in Buena Vista, Colo., and I’ve always enjoyed working with children because of their energy, inquisitive nature and creativity.
When I learned about Bozeman-based Thrive’s CAP mentoring, or the Child Advancement Project, I thought it would be a great opportunity to become more involved in the Big Sky community.
I’ll admit I was a little nervous to begin the program at first. What if my mentee doesn’t like meeting with me? What if he thinks our meetings are boring? What if we run out of things to talk about?
Despite this apprehension, I signed up for the program, went through the training and application process, and was assigned a mentee, a second grade boy. On my first day of mentoring, I picked up my mentee from his classroom. We went to the CAP table and I asked him what he liked.
“Frogs, Nerf guns and video games,” he said. “Sweet,” I thought. Nerf guns were pretty much my favorite toys as a child, and I love frogs too. We’re going to get along great, I realized, and any hesitation I had quickly disappeared.
In addition to playing games and helping him with homework, I enjoy watching my mentee’s interests and skills develop. Frogs are still his favorite, but he’s graduated from playing Candy Land and Connect Four to games that involve building complicated circuits that turn on lights or control sound resonating from speakers. We started with simple spelling and math, and now review questions with compound sentences and grammar as well as long division.
My favorite part about mentoring is seeing my mentee’s face light up when we meet, and it’s been a highlight of each week during the school year. Mentoring is an invaluable experience, not just for the child you are meeting with, but for you as well.
Thrive’s CAP mentoring program provides students a unique opportunity to develop their character and consistent, positive relationships with an adult. Email Julie Grimm at jgrimm@bssd72.org for more information about the Big Sky School District CAP program.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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