The class is a graded course and U-M students are expected to be good role models, attend regularly and on time, do required readings and write a term paper at the end. It is a one-semester course, but Quart said some students elect to come back for an independent study to stay with their mentee longer. U-M students often go on to pursue degrees in medicine, psychology, social work and education.

The college students begin in an AAPS classroom assisting the teacher and working with all of the students. From there, the mentor and teacher can best determine who might benefit from having the mentor’s help. Some of the ways they assist might include social and personal skills, helping with homework, offering friendship and discussing careers.

In essence, Mentoring gives you the extraordinary opportunity to facilitate a protege’s personal and professional growth by sharing knowledge you learned through years of experience. While the primary intent of your mentoring role is to challenge the protege to think in new and different ways, the protege is not the only one who gains from the arrangement.

“These mentors are dedicated to the kids…They want to make a difference – they want to help.” – Dr. Ellen Quart