Be The Best You Can Be

“You can expect that one of the most important outcomes of being a peer educators will be an enhancement of your own growth in both knowledge and personal attributes.” (Students Helping Students pg. 13)

            The role we play as peer mentors is only one of many different capacities in which students can help their fellow students.  Since my first year of high school I have had several of my peers that have also been mentors to me. Some of my mentors where older and I looked up to them for their guidance and experiences. Others mentors where closer to my age but I still valued their opinion highly. I have been blessed to have these people in my life to grow with them in a mentor-mentee relationship. Regardless of the situation peer mentors are in, they will experience growth personally and intellectually.

            My high school FFA chapter attempted starting a mentor program that involved pairing juniors and seniors with the first and second year students. My mentor was Jake, he was a senior while I was a freshman. I admired his involvement in FFA at our school and around the state. He encouraged me to try new things and step outside of my comfort zone.

            Jakes role as my mentor did not stop when he graduated and moved off to college. He continued to motivate and encourage his fellow peers although he was no longer in the same building everyday. He coached our floriculture team for three years in and row and was a key component of my preparations for state officer interviews. While I was traveling the state and being a mentor to others myself, I could always count on Jake to listen to my stories of success and failure.

            Today Jake is a high school agriculture instructor just 40 minutes down the road. The experiences he had mentoring my class, serving as a state officer, student teaching in Chicago and a service-learning trip to Uganda have contributed to his passion for teaching others.  He has served as a peer mentor to me as well as countless others. I will always consider Jake a mentor, but also close friend of mine.

            As a Hixson Peer Mentor we will be making an impact in the lives of others. But often overlooked is the impact on the mentor. As we go through our training and prepare for next semester allow yourself to be challenged so that you can grow into a more effective peer mentor.  Be the best you can be, not only for your mentees but also for yourself.

Peace, Love and Pogo Sticks!

~Easten