E-Connect Classroom Mentor Training

1. E-Connect Classroom Mentor Training Mentoring Through Technology to Promote Student Achievement

2. What is E-Connect? • An innovative model for mentoring, connecting high school students with disabilities to caring adults in the community. • Communication between mentor and mentee is through email with occasional face-to-face meetings. • The goal of E-Connect is to help students better understand the workplace and gain skills for future employment.

3. What is a mentor? • Rooted in Greek mythology • Wise, loyal advisor • Teacher, coach, advocate • Guide, sharer of resources

4. Objectives for Youth • Build skills through integration with transition/IEP goals • Build motivation for academic learning • Improve self-esteem • Improve skills in writing, computers, social interaction, career readiness • Connect to positive role models in the world of work • Have expanded opportunities to become a successful adult

5. Objectives for Mentors/Employers • Increase awareness of youth with disabilities and their potential • Increase employee morale through rewards of mentoring • Improve business/community/school connections

6. E-Mentoring Team • Mentee: a student who wishes to learn more about work and careers • E-Mentor: a volunteer who mentors a young person via e-mail • Community Coordinator: a liaison between the school and community partners • Employer Coordinator: a liaison who coordinates activities and recruits mentors at employment site • Classroom Coordinator: a teacher or other staff member who implements the e-mentoring program at the school

7. E-Mentor Responsibilities • Interest in supporting youth • Commitment for one semester or entire school year • 1 hour of training • 15-30 minutes weekly of e-mail mentoring • 2 face-to-face meetings per semester • Willingness to adhere to program goals and boundaries

8. Roles of Mentors • Provide encouragement, motivation, information, and direction • Act as a role model and advisory figure • Facilitate exploration, learning, and decision-making • Send return e-mails promptly--within 2-3 days • Notify the classroom coordinator of extended times away from e-mail • Notify classroom coordinator if you don’t receive e-mail from mentee • Address issues of confidentiality, boundaries, child safety, academic progress, or the mentor/mentee relationship with classroom coordinator • Copy all e-mail transmissions to appropriate person

9. E-Connect Curriculum • Focuses on skills for future education and employment • Provides a weekly topic and framework for e-mail and classroom discussion • Inspires dialogue between mentor and mentee on a specific topic • Provides information and resources for mentors and mentees

10. Person-First Language The focus is on the person first, the disability second. So, not an “autistic student,” but a “student with autism.”

11. Resources • E-Connecthttp://ici.umn.edu/e-connect • Pathways to Employmenthttp://www.positivelyminnesota.com • Institute on Community Integrationhttp://ici.umn.edu • National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youthhttp://www.ncwd-youth.info