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AFL Mentor Spotlight: Teshonna Hampton

May 15, 2017

Teshonna-Des'Tynei

 

Mentor: Teshonna Hampton, Records Clerk, Duval County Courthouse

  • What do you enjoy the most about mentoring?
    • I like being able to influence and impact someone who is younger than me, and know that I am making a difference.
  • How long have you been mentoring?
    • I have been matched with Desty’nei for 8 months. This is my first time being a mentor.
  • What are some of the things you and your mentee do during your session?
    • We usually work on her classwork or homework, talk about her grades and set goals for her to improve.
  • What inspired you to become a mentor?
    • I wanted to make a difference and inspire someone, and be a role model. I am studying to become an elementary school teacher and I thought that being a mentor would help me get one-on-one time to make a difference, while using things I am learning in school.
  • What are some goals that you and your mentee set?
    • We have set goals to improve her grades in Language Arts, and we are actively practicing organizational skills. We created a planner to help her keep on track of assignment due dates.  Mostly, we set goals for her to improve her grades and make sure she is turning her work in on time.
  • What is your favorite memory with your mentee so far?
    • One time that really sticks out to me is when we both made a bookmark. We each colored our own and then I gave them to Desty’nei to keep in her planner to use when she reads in class. I think we both had a lot of fun making the bookmark, and it was pretty relaxing too.
  • Is there anything you would like to share with others about your mentoring experience?
    • No matter how nervous you may feel, know you are making an impact. Don’t ever feel that you aren’t making an impression, because you are. Don’t give up, know that you are helping someone in ways you’d never realize. Even if you don’t see progress right away, they may remember something you said or did five years from now.

Mentee: Desty’nei, J.E.B. Stuart Middle School

  • What is your favorite memory with your mentor so far?
    • My favorite memory is that she helps me with my work and to catch up in my classes.
  • What do you like most about your mentor?
    • I like that she is nice and fun. She is fun because she has an upbeat personality, she puts me in a good mood.
  • What is the best advice you have received from your mentor?
    • To stay focused, because if you are focused you will get better grades. She helps me get organized so I can be focused.
  • What are some accomplishments that you have accomplished with your mentor?
    • She helps me with my math work. She helped me understand decimals and fractions. She even brought in additional sheets for me to practice. She really helped me get a good idea of how to work with fractions and decimals.