In Their Own Words
Volunteer mentors in the Creative Mentoring program were asked to share their stories. Our mentors, whether just beginning or continuing a long-term commitment to mentoring, provide amazing perspective into the world of being a Creative Mentor. Read what our mentors have to say about their various personal experiences and the benefits of mentoring.
Clement B. Nettles Clement is a long-time mentor with 15 years of experience to his credit! He is currently mentoring a boy at North Dover Elementary School. For Clement, the main benefit of mentoring is “the continual satisfactions of helping a young student to learn to realize a goal or vision for himself.” He says that he has already seen a change in his current mentee: “growth in his self-confidence and a willingness to take on challenges.”
In Clement's Own Words: “I mentor because I love to first of all, and secondly I feel that I can help some young child develop to their fullest potential. I continue to mentor . . . for the good feelings that you derive from making a connection with a young person. . . As a retired federal employee and retired Navy man, I could be doing a lot of things other than mentoring, but I choose to mentor for the personal satisfaction I get from doing it."
"Passing along a little love and learning to a child that can use it is the least that I can do at this stage of my life.”
~~~
Katie Harrington Katie is a mentor at North Dover Elementary School. She has been a mentor to a girl there for two years. Katie describes how she got involved: “I was looking for a way to become more involved in my community and make a difference. I learned that North Dover needed mentors. I jumped on the chance, and I am so glad that I did.”
In Katie’s Own Words: "I look forward to seeing my mentee every week, and I think she feels the same. Her teacher says that she has seen an improvement in her work and that makes me feel great inside. When I first started working with my mentee, we were both pretty shy and didn’t talk very much. Things are very different now, she starts talking the minute she is out of her classroom. Her teachers have all said that she participates more in class than she used to and she interacts with her peers more. I look forward to seeing her smiling face every week. Even if I’m having a bad day, she makes the day worth it!!!”
~~~
William, A. Rosenfeld
William, a.k.a. Bill, has been mentoring for one year. He
mentors a child at North Dover Elementary School. Bill
explains why he mentors: “Because I want to help others,
especially children, and because it is good for me and my
family.” He feels that spending time with a child helps him
“learn and grow” and develop insight and patience that helps him
deal with life’s challenges. Bill tries to learn from his
mentee and encourages his mentee to learn from him so that they
may both “be as successful as possible.” For Bill, ‘success’
entails “happiness, security, and a sense of accomplishment.” 
In Bill’s Own Words: “To me, the major benefit for the mentee is that the child has an opportunity to try to improve in his or her weaker areas, academic or social, by learning someone else's approach to these problems. Also, there is time for the mentee to have fun focusing on areas that they enjoy and to polish areas where they do well, so as to make them feel better about themselves.”
“There is nothing better to help me grow as a person than seeing the world from someone else's perspective.”
~~~
Amanda Adel Adel Amanda has been mentoring for two years at East Dover Elementary School. She sees the positive effects mentoring has had on her mentee, such as improved self esteem, confidence, socialization skills, and grades. Even though they only spend one hour each week together, Amanda is certain that the changes and life skills they have both learned will last a lifetime. Her mentor’s mother and teacher recently shared with Amanda how much improvement they have seen in the communication and relationship skills of her mentee throughout the past school year.
In Amanda’s Own Words: "My mentee asked me if I could mentor her every day because I listen to her and she knows she can trust me and that this would be the longest summer ever because she wouldn't be able to see me until the start of the new school year.”
~~~
Jaimée Urell Jaimée has been a mentor for 16 years! She says that she had a very positive first experience mentoring and really enjoyed the connection she made with the kids. She says, “I noticed that the time we spent together made a difference.” At present, Jaimée mentors a little boy whom she mentored for the past 4 years.
In Jaimée’s Own Words: “We have a great time together and he confides in me and asks my opinion when he needs a new perspective on an issue. My best memory with him was when he had a rough day at football practice and got benched for fighting. The next day he told me about it and he said ‘I know it was wrong to fight. Can I get your advice on how I should handle it so that I don't spend the whole season on the bench?’”
“I still keep the Christmas ornaments and cards that my mentees give me and hang them on my tree. I love the reminders of all of the children that I have been blessed to work with these past 16 years.”
~~~
Wanda Fonner Wanda has been a mentor at North Dover Elementary School for three years. She currently mentors a young girl who is in kindergarten. Wanda says that she “want[s] children to know that their current situation does not dictate their future, they control their destiny.” She describes seeing both her current and her previous mentees “grow in their trust and respect of others.”
In Wanda’s Own Words: “I mentor because I want to think that I, in some way, make a child's day, week or month a little brighter.”
“It's a wonderful feeling when a child wants to walk with you and hold your hand.”
~~~
Frances Fleming
Frances has been a mentor for nine years! Currently, she mentors
a child at the Shortlidge Academy for two years. According to
her, one of the greatest benefits of mentoring is the
opportunity “to enhance and encourage a young person to do their
best in school.”
In Frances' Own Words:
“All of us can reach out and teach a child.”
~~~
Sharon A. Bryant Sharon has been mentoring for ten years! She mentors a student at Shortlidge Academy.
In Sharon’s Own Words: "It is rewarding for me because there is always a glimmer of hope in the eyes of the little person I have mentored. As a member of the community, I feel like it is a requirement. You know even in that short time period you make a difference in their lives and for sure they make a difference in yours.”
~~~
Carol Fretz Carol is new to mentoring. She has been mentoring a child at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School for three months.
In Carol’s Own Words: “Children are our future. It is our responsibility to prepare them and guide them to them to success. I want to make a difference for my student. Feeling needed and knowing I’m helping make a difference makes me feel better about myself.”
~~~
Kim Best Kim is a first year mentor at the Delaware School for the Deaf, where she mentors one child.
In Kim’s Own Words: “There are many children who need a stable adult to share their experiences with. At DSD some students are living in the dorm and don’t have much contact with their family so having a mentor gives them a sense of someone who cares about them and what happens to them.”
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Jacqueline Rice Hintz Jacqueline has been mentoring for two years. She presently mentors a young girl at Brader Elementary School. Sadly, Jacqueline lost her mother at the young of five and she says, “I would have adored having another adult in my life who was interested in just me.” As a mentor, she says, “That is what I try to provide for my little girl . . . [who] sees her mother only occasionally.”
In Jacqueline’s Own Words: "A real plus is that my mentee teaches me a lot.” I get much more than I give, believe me!”
~~~
Amanda Kimball A longtime mentor of almost 9 years, Amanda says she “will never stop mentoring.” Amanda now mentors a student at Lancashire Elementary School. She is driven to continue mentoring by the knowledge that “there are many children at Lancashire who need a caring person in their lives.”
In Amanda’s Own Words: “I think it is the simple things that all of the children I’ve mentored respond to. They are surprised by being the focus of my attention. That I want to hear about what they’ve been doing since we last met. They enjoy reading stories or just making funny faces together. . . things that perhaps they don’t experience at home. "
"By mentoring, you are teaching a child that no matter what they are experiencing at home, they are worthy of love and attention. Something they will never forget.”
~~~
Harold McNair Harold is another longtime mentor, currently mentoring for his 14th year! At present he mentors one child at Shortlidge Academy.
In Harold’s Own Words: “I mentor to give back to society. I benefit by knowing that I’m making a difference in a child’s life. My mentee benefits by becoming more aware of his shortcomings, realizing his strengths, and by setting achievable and realist goals for himself. Keep hope alive.”
~~~
Rosalind Brown-Vinson Rosalind mentors a child at Carrie Downie Elementary School. She has been a mentor for 4 years to a total of five Elementary School students.
In Rosalind’s Own Words: “Mentoring a young child has been a very rewarding experience for me.”
~~~
Kristen Lopez Kristen is in her second year as a mentor. She mentors a student at Brookside Elementary School. She says, “[mentoring] has had a great impact on my life.” A benefit for Kristen is “knowing I have helped a child in a positive way.”
In Kristen’s Own Words: “I can definitely see a change in my mentee and have learned my time shared with him has an impact on him academically as well as boosts his self confidence and social skills.”
~~~
Shayla McGhee Shayla mentors a student at Brookside Elementary School. She has been mentoring for about six months. Shayla is working toward a Masters Degree in Elementary School Education and says, “I enjoy working with kids.”
In Shayla’s Own Words: “I enjoy getting to leave work and making a difference in the life of someone that is still in school. Mentoring is a positive way to make an impact.”
~~~
David Stepnowski David has been a mentor to a boy at Claymont Elementary School for six months. He says, “even though we are only together thirty minutes each week, my mentee seems to enjoy this time.” David has never had any children of his own and also enjoys this time with his mentee who, he explains, “is not really as shy now as he was when we first met.” During their short time together, David says he has “seen an improvement in his openness.”
In David’s Own Words: “I enjoy giving back when I can.”
~~~
Karen Beare After 12 years, Karen continues to mentor because, “the kids need it.” At present, she mentors three children at Baltz-Elsmere Elementary School. She says, “they love the attention they receive from me . . . We work on their reading and math but they really love to play games and beat me!”
In Karen’s Own Words: “I look forward to seeing my kids each week as they make my day!”
~~~
Ellen Feingold A mentor at P.S. DuPont Elementary School, Ellen says, “Eating lunch with my mentee is the highlight of my week and I suspect it is hers too.” Ellen has been mentoring for 3 years but has been with her current mentee at for two years. She has stayed with her mentee as she moved to different schools and says “next year, we’ll continue together.” According to Ellen, her mentee “seems more confident in reading and math all the time,” and she is grateful to her school mentoring coordinator who she says “provides us with materials each week which never fail to interest my mentee.”
In Ellen’s Own Words: “I am watching Shirley grow up.”
~~~
Liz Ferguson This is Liz’s fifth year as a mentor. She now mentors a student at Marshall Elementary School. “Mentoring,” Liz says after five years, “has been a never ending process of learning.” She describes the experience as “sharing one hour a week of intense friendship” which she hopes “will last both of us a life time.”
In Liz’s Own Words: “The friendships that we build through mentoring are the bridges that will connect generations throughout a life time.”
~~~
Cynthia Mahaffey-Rice Cynthia has been mentoring a girl at Linden Hill Elementary School for a year. One of the positive features of mentoring, she describes, is having the opportunity to “establish a consistent relationship with a mentee who. . . needs that one-on-one interaction.” She believes that the time spent “fills a void for the mentee.” Her mentee “was very reserved and timid” when they first met, but Cynthia says she has since witnessed “social, academic, and emotional growth in [her].” In fact, she explains, “We seem to both compete for airspace now which used to always be driven by me.”
In Cynthia’s Own Words: “It is wonderful to see how much she has opened up to me and grown over the year!
~~~
Jelena Cirakovic A mentor to two boys at Highlands Elementary School, Jelena has been mentoring for just four months. Though it hasn’t been long, she exclaims, “I love the boys I mentor!” She feels that she is “building a bond” with both of her mentees and she is excited to see that “their reading skills have improved, as well as math.”
In Jelena’s Own Words: “I find tremendous joy when I spend time with them. I think they appreciate the time we spend together . . . One of them told me it was his lucky day when I became his mentor. It made my day.”
~~~
Heather Maldonado A 3 year mentor, Heather is mentor to a boy at Brader Elementary School. She looks forward to her time with her mentee every week.
In Heather’s Own Words: "He has taught me to play chess and rediscover my love of board games. It is one of my favorite times of the week.”
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Zachary Mellinger Zachary has been mentoring for two years and currently spends time with a student at Kirk Middle School. “It is a lot of fun just to meet with mentees and hear their stories,” he explains. Besides the fun, Zachary says he mentors because, “it is also great to give back or help others as I have been helped in the past.”
In Zachary’s Own Words: "I feel the mentees give me a greater perspective on life outside of my schooling and work, and I feel I can help them by seeing the picture of where they are heading and the opportunities that are out there for them.”
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Joseph D’Occhio Joseph has been mentoring a young boy at the Delaware School for the Deaf for seven months. He says, “initially I thought my visits really did not make much difference.” However, in time Joseph says he has received proof that his mentee “looks forward to my visit on Wednesday.” Teachers tell him that his mentee’s behavior is better and that he is excited and full of anticipation on their days together.
In Joseph’s Own Words: “I had the good fortune of being present as my mentee was presented as Student of the Week. When I walk to my car after my visits I am so proud to be a part of this 5 year old’s life.”
~~~
Lisa C. Robinson Lisa has been mentoring a student at Brader Elementary School for a little over a year.
In Lisa’s Own Words: “It is an amazing experience! My mentee told his friend his birthday was the best day of his life. We celebrated with his class.”
~~~
Bharat Patel Bharat mentors a student at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School and has been a mentor for 2 years.
In Bharat’s Own Words: “I enjoy providing positive influence to kids in need. Also, I myself learn a lot from young and curious minds. It brings a world of joy when I see a young child smile.”
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Cynthia Osborne Cynthia Osborne has been mentoring for nine and a half years. She currently mentors three students at Mount Pleasant Elementary and Claymont Elementary. Cynthia says of mentoring that "It’s a small commitment that yields a tremendous impact on children who benefit from the friendship and stewardship of an adult who is not a parent." Cynthia says that it is not only kids who benefit from the relationship. From being a mentor, she says she has experienced better communication with her own child at home. She says she has "learned better and new strategies for dealing with challenging situations."
In Cynthia’s Own Words: "He was so shy and introverted, struggling with his self esteem and grades. He is now in sixth grade….receiving honors grades! I am so proud!"
~~~
Carol Senerchia
Carol Senerchia has been mentoring and impacting
young people’s lives for 10 years now. She is currently
mentoring one student at Sussex Central High School. She
continues to mentor because she has made a commitment to stick
with her mentees until they graduate high school.
In Carol’s Own Words: “Watching my mentee/mentees grow, change and mature over time are benefits for me. I encourage mentors to stay with and follow mentee all through school till they graduate if possible.”
~~~
Rosemary Risley Rosemary has been mentoring for 1 year now but has already become completely involved with her mentees. Rosemary started her mentor process with an open mind and is currently impacting 17 mentees. She mentors at Frederick Douglas Elementary School. All of her mentees are currently in the third grade and she feels she has been a benefit to the mentees and the teacher. Even with a large mentee class, she still manages to connect with each individual mentee: “I know something personal about each student.”
In Rosemary’s Own Words: “I just started to mentor this year and really have become involved with all aspects of actual classroom work. I feel that I have been an asset to the third grade class at Frederick Douglass Elementary. I can see the improvement especially in math and reading skills. I really love the hugs and artwork I get. I would like to continue mentoring and have gotten some books about early childhood education that I plan to read this summer.”
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Barbara Lewandowski Barbara has only been mentoring for 2 months but already feels pleasure in helping her mentees. She is currently mentoring a whole second grade class in Little Neck Elementary School. She understands the importance of helping our youth: “I find the need to give back to the community.”
In Barbara’s Own Words: “Statistics show many students have reading problems. I am happy to be a part of this program, and receive pleasure in seeing them develop and advance their reading skills and self confidence.”
~~~
Joann M. Heffner Joann M. Heffner has been mentoring for 4 years and really connects with her mentees. She is currently mentoring one girl at East Millsboro Elementary School. She enjoys helping her mentee learn and learning from her mentee. She also enjoys watching her mentee grow.
In Joann’s Own Words: “I request to mentor girls because I had sons and always wanted a daughter. My first mentee was very shy and needed help with her school work. I miss her because she moved away two years ago. My second mentee is also a girl and very shy. She still is a little shy but she is improving. She also needs help with school work and I really enjoy my time helping her.”
~~~
Miriam L. Parkhurst Miriam has really enjoyed spending time with her mentee. She has been mentoring for 2 years. She is currently mentoring one student at North Georgetown Elementary School. She has made a genuine connection with her mentee: “He makes me feel so good inside.”
In Miriam’s Own Words: “I enjoy spending time with my mentee and sharing with him. Just a smile makes my day. We play games together and talk about our families and pets. We also like to talk about what we do in our spare time. I bake cookies for him, his favorite of course.”
~~~
Michelle Tomiak Michelle loves mentoring and really seeing a change in her mentees. She has been mentoring for 2 years now. She is currently mentoring one student at North Georgetown Elementary School.
In Michelle’s Own Words: “I continue to mentor because I enjoy seeing the progress the mentees make, not only in their school work but also in their personal life. It is great to see them come out of their shells.”
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Joyce T. Dennis Joyce has really allowed her enthusiasm for mentoring make this an enjoyable experience for her and her mentees. She started mentoring 2 years ago and currently has 2 mentees at East Millsboro Elementary School. She really enjoys the school she mentors at and her mentees. She is also very familiar and appreciative of the support she gets from the staff at East Millsboro Elementary School.
In Joyce’s Own Words: “I get so much joy from mentoring my students and I hope they receive as much from me. I have two grandchildren who attend East Millsboro Elementary so I know what an amazing school it is with 100% participation in mentoring. I am a writer so I can share my love for writing and imagination with my mentees and hopefully instill a love of reading books in them. We have a great time together and I’m already looking forward to next year. Everyone involved in this program is so committed to volunteering and assuring every student the opportunity to grow and expand their experiences.”
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Kathy DiSabatino Kathy has 10 years of mentoring experience. She has seen so many benefits to being a mentor for the mentee and mentor. She is currently mentoring 1 student at East Millsboro Elementary School. She has the advantage of being a teacher and feels that has helped her to have an established mentoring career.
In Kathy’s Own Words: “As a teacher I’ve seen the benefits of those being mentored (improved grades, improved self esteem, and better impulse control) and I’ve enjoyed mentoring and following former students I’ve known. I felt that my prior knowledge of those students and their families has lent itself to a successful mentoring situation.”
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Sharon S. Bienciewicz Sharon has been mentoring for 1-1/2 years. She is currently mentoring 2 students at Phillip C. Showell Elementary School. Sharon mentors because she really enjoys the children’s company.
In Sharon’s Own Words: “I really enjoy being with the children. I usually go at 10:15 and stay until 12:15 eating lunch with my first grader and interacting with all the children in her class. I see my first grader has become more social. At the beginning of the year she would hardly talk even at lunch. Now she is a social butterfly!!”
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Dara Hearn Dara Hearn has been mentoring for 1 year and is currently mentoring one student at the Southern Delaware School of Arts.
In Dara’s Own Words: “I have enjoyed working with my mentee. I am considering adding another mentee next year. My mentee has really opened up and enjoys meeting with me. The feeling is mutual!”
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Vanessa Nock-Hagans Vanessa enjoys having an impact on each individual mentee. She has been mentoring for 2 years. She is currently mentoring one student at East Millsboro Elementary School.
In Vanessa’s Own Words: “I continue to mentor because having the one on one time with the mentee is very special. It makes that child feel special. The benefit for me is knowing I have made a difference in that child’s life for forty-five minutes each week.”
~~~
Joanne Sassi
Joanne has been mentoring for 2 years and enjoys
watching her mentee grow. She is currently mentoring one student
at East Millsboro Elementary School. She describes her mentoring
experience as “priceless.”
In Joanne’s Own Words: “I really enjoy watching my mentee grow. The look on her face when she finally accomplishes a difficult task is priceless! This year I watched my mentee blossom from a shy little six year old to a very confident, social butterfly!”
~~~
Cathy Shavell Cathy understands the need the children have for mentors and has used that to motivate her to continue to be a mentor. She has been mentoring for 3 years. She currently is mentoring one student at North Georgetown School.
In Cathy’s Own Words: “I continue to mentor because there is a need for it. I think it helps students to have a consistent connection within the school to follow them as they progress through the grades.”
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Joann T. Conaway Joann has been mentoring for 2 years. She is currently at Phyllis Wheatley Middle School with one mentee. She mentors because she understands the need for positive examples in the children’s life.
In Joann’s Own Words: “I know there is a great unfilled need in our school district for positive role models.”
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Raymond R. Dotts Raymond has been mentoring for 14 years! He took the responsibility to be a positive male figure for all his mentees. He currently has one mentee at North Dover Elementary School.
In Raymond’s Own Words: “I feel it is important for every boy to have an adult male who really cares about him.”
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Vicki Robinson Vicki Robinson has been a mentor with Creative Mentoring for 3 years. She is currently mentoring two students at Rehoboth Elementary School. She really enjoys mentoring.
In Vicki’s Own Words: “I love working with kids. Kids need all the help we can give them to help them become a productive member of society.”
~~~
Ivan Neal Ivan Neal has really dedicated his time to mentoring. He has been mentoring for 8 years and spreads his love for mentoring all over the Indian River School District. He currently mentors six students at Frankford Elementary, North Georgetown Elementary, Phillip Showell Elementary, Southern Delaware School of the Arts, and Selbyville Middle School.
In Ivan’s Own Words: “I have ambitious reasons for mentoring students. First and most importantly, I want to help students become well rounded and successful individuals. Whether our weekly time together is spent on homework or class work or other academic material, providing self-esteem support or simply playing a favorite game, I look forward to being with my boys. They equally appear to enjoy our time together as well. We often talk about school progress. If nothing else, each boy’s self-esteem and confidence seem to have increased. Since I no longer am in the classroom, mentoring is one the primary ways I stay connected with students of different ages.”
~~~
Eli Ramos Eli Ramos understands there is a benefit for him
and his mentees through mentoring with Connecting Generations.
He has been a mentor for 1 year. He is currently mentoring 2
students in the Indian River School District.
In Eli’s Own Words: “As a retired educator, I see education as an essential part of youth development. My benefit is my satisfaction that I get from making a difference in my mentee’s life. My mentees’ benefits are that they learn that people care about them and they should do the same.”
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Cherokee Bonilla Cherokee stays motivated to mentor through the kid’s enthusiasm. Cherokee has been mentoring for 2 years and is currently mentoring 2 students at the Georgetown Elementary School.
In Cherokee’s Own Words: “I love to see children get their one on one time with someone, especially if that child is having problems in their classroom, whether it is behavior or academic problems. That is why I continue to mentor. The benefits for me and the students are that the mentee enjoys the attention, and I enjoy giving them that attention. It gives them an outlet especially if they need someone to talk to or need more assistance in the classroom. I believe mentors give a lot back to each child they meet, and that child’s life is changed forever. The child does look forward to seeing you each week. So I say, don’t stop doing what you are doing. Hats off to all mentors!”
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Adrian O. Copper Adrian loves to help people and feels helping can be most beneficial through the Creative Mentoring program. She has been mentoring for 4 months and is currently mentoring 2 mentees at Jones Elementary School.
In Adrian's Own Words: “I like helping others, that’s one reason. The other reason is support the teacher and students. Helping others is the benefit.”
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Carole Sangis Carole has really made a connection with her mentees. She has been mentoring for 4 years. She is currently mentoring 3 students at the Rehoboth Elementary School. She enjoys seeing the kids learn and just have fun.
In Carole’s Own Words: “I love the children. We learn how to interact, communicate and just have fun. One of the mentees had a hard time and we have worked through some of his problems. I mentor two girls at one time and the shyer girl has opened up and learned how to speak her mind. I also appreciate the resiliency of the students.”
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Eric Bodenweiser Eric has been mentoring for 2 years and is currently mentoring one student at North Georgetown Elementary School. Eric shows enthusiasm and is really motivated to be a positive influence for his mentees.
In Eric’s Own Words: “Why Mentor? Because there are children that need someone to look up to and hopefully I can fill that position. Benefits for myself: Develop friendship with mentee, hopefully long lasting. Benefits for mentee: Interact with a responsible male adult father figure who can teach him to be a man, shake hands, and be polite to people, smile, and treat women with respect!”
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Helen Truitt Helen has been mentoring for 3 years. She is currently mentoring one student at Rehoboth Elementary. She enjoys interacting with the students and watching them practice what they’ve learned from her.
In Helen’s Own Words: “I Hope to be able to help a young person by improving his everyday life and give a child a lot of love which he might not be receiving. It has been enjoyable to watch him grow up.”
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Judy Smith Judy has been mentoring for 1-1/2 years and is currently mentoring one student at Long Neck Elementary School. She finds sharing her time with her mentees beneficial for her and her mentees.
In Judy’s Own Words: “The benefits of mentoring are helping a young child feel confident and important, and the good feeling I have when I give of my time.”
~~~
Paula Mood
Paula is a mentor at East Millsboro Elementary
School. She has been mentoring for 3 years and is currently
mentoring one student. She thoroughly enjoys mentoring the
children and learning about each individual.
In Paula’s Own Words: “I continue to mentor because I enjoy being with children. The first year I mentored, a girl in fifth grade. The last two years I have been mentoring a boy. I have seen a big change in him over the last two years. This year he has enjoyed talking and sharing with me the things that he has done. He enjoys fishing and four wheeling. I would like to continue with him until he goes to middle school which is in two years.”
