High School Mentorship Program
The Psi Chi Boulder Chapter has worked to create the invaluable and unique opportunity for University of Colorado undergraduates to obtain concrete experience in working face to face with teenagers enrolled in an alternative high school in Boulder, CO. Within an existing framework, this opportunity offers volunteers an experience that can be individualized to personal interests, a benefit unlikely to be found through other programs. Please familiarize yourself with the information below regarding the Psi Chi High School Mentorship Program.
Fairview High School
Fairveiw High School is a public school within the Boulder Vally School District. One of the larger high schools in Boulder, Fairview consists of nearly 2,000 students, approximately 50% of which are female. While Fairview offers the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for highly motivated and capable students, the school is proud to provide special programs for several unique populations. The school is home to a wide array of special education services, and an At-Risk Intervention Program. It is these programs that enroll students in the greatest need of CU volunteers' service.
Opportunities
A variety of opportunities are available through the Psi Chi High School Mentorship Program. Mentorship may take the form of one-on-one time with students in the classroom, tutoring students in schoolwork, or simply engaging students in meaningful conversation. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to assist teachers in presenting class lessons, with particular respect to a high school course in Psychology. Fairview’s Special Education program tailors curricula to students with learning and developmental disabilities, and is open for volunteer assistance. Further, the Boulder Valley School District is involved in a program evaluation that requires the administration of brief psychometrics to students, in an effort to assess improvements in reading comprehension over time. Mentors may be trained on the administration of these measures as well as the entry of collected data. We believe each of these programs provides an excellent opportunity for CU students to make an impact on the lives of adolescents.
Time Commitments
Because Psi Chi wishes to recruit enthusiastic students but understands that college life can be demanding, volunteers will have several options available to them regarding time commitments, including weekly and biweekly commitments. However, it is important that whatever commitments are made are satisfied. A goal of this program is to demonstrate to teenagers who may have little interpersonal consistency in their lives that there are people who follow through with a promise.
Volunteer Training and Preparation
Members are expected to develop basic skills required for this postion. Ongoing supervision and training will be available from high school faculty, including teachers and social workers, and from the Psi Chi High School Mentorship Program Committee, including officers and faculty. Mentors will be encouraged to share their workshops and experiences with these people as well as with other mentors, with the aim improving the learning experience for both the high school students and the mentor him- or herself.
Application
We are delighted that you are interested in the Psi Chi High School Mentorship Program. Please take the time to complete an application, which you may download an application, and bring it to the training meeting Oct. 9th OR submit it to the Psi Chi office in Muenzinger D442. It is preferred that you submit your application during office hours held by
Zak (Monday/Wednesday, 1:00- 2:00 PM; Zachary.Millman@coloado.edu)
or
Whitney (Wednesday 4:00-5:00 Thursday 9:30-10:30 AM; Whitney.Lyle@colorado.edu).
However, we understand that these hours are limited, and if you are unable to meet these times, email either Zak or Whitney, and they will try accommodate your availabilities. If they are unable, they will ask you to attach your application to an email.
