STAMP-ers make impression on students

Parishioners of St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady have taken the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child," to heart.

They have joined forces with parents and teachers to help educate the parish school's children. Assisting in the classroom, the parishioners known as mentors provide students with enrichment and remediation activities, as well as extracurricular clubs.

The mentors are part of a three-year-old program at the school known as Sharing Talents And Mentoring Program (STAMP).

"The kids love it," reported faculty coordinator Kim McNamee, a first grade teacher, school parent and former mentor. "They want to work with mentors."

Three of her first-graders miss out on recess once a week while they meet with their mentor, but it doesn't bother them. "The kids don't mind," Mrs. McNamee said. "They remind me it's the day they don't go out."

The program was formed to help the school provide assistance to students who needed it, but it grew to encompass class presentations and extracurricular activities. Some mentors come in to the classroom to do a one-shot presentation, Mrs. McNamee said.

Others come in on a weekly basis or moderate a club. Clubs moderated by mentors include a Stock Market Club, Chess Club, Science Club, Language Club, a doll club and a theater group.

"Mentors commit to anything from a one-time activity to weekly visits," Mrs. McNamee explained. "It's up to the mentor to decide. We can find a place for them."

The school's other first grade teacher, Patricia Platel, and parent Pat Erwin, who was involved in a public school mentoring program through work, founded STAMP three years ago.

The program is easy to run, according to Mrs. McNamee, who works with parent coordinator Carol Lupo in administering the program. After recruiting mentors, the faculty is presented with the list of mentors. Teachers voice their needs and are matched with mentors for their classroom or groups of students who would benefit from interaction with a mentor.

On a national level, mentoring programs are springing up in public school districts because they have been found to increase student achievement as well as improving student confidence.

Mentoring programs also allow schools to provide services to students that otherwise would not be available because of financial limitations.

Interest in the program has grown, Mrs. McNamee said. During STAMP's first year, there were 16 mentors; this year the figure doubled to 32. The mentors represent parents of current students, parents of alumni and parishioners.

Many of the parishioners participating in the program are retirees, including retired teacher Richard Connelly. Every week, Mr. Connelly works with second graders on math and with kindergartners. He became involved in the program after seeing a request for volunteers in the church bulletin.

Mr. Connelly retired after 33 years as an elementary-school teacher and administrator, but soon found he missed working with students. "I missed the contact with the children," he said. "And I missed the learning atmosphere."

He spends a half an hour per week planning his classroom sessions. Drawing from his teaching career, he chooses activities that worked when he was in the classroom. To prepare for his reading sessions with kindergarten, he selects a monthly supply of age-appropriate books from the county library. With the second grade, he uses a game approach to math.

He motivates students with small prizes purchased with his own money, rewarding students who get a perfect score on their math tests. "I've been giving out a lot of prizes," he said.

Not only has the mentoring program benefitted the students, but it has been a positive experience for the mentors. Mr. Connelly said, "If you love children, it's a fulfilling experience. When the holidays come up, I brood because I can't come in. It's a new challenge every day."

From an educator's point of view, Mrs. McNamee said the program is beneficial. "It helps me because children who need extra remediation or enrichment receive it," she said. "They also get someone who works with them one-on-one. It shows them someone cares and provides further encouragement."

Mrs. McNamee can also speak of the program as a parent whose son is involved. Her son joined the mentor-run Science Club. "He loves it," she reported. "It's a small group, they do hands-on activities, and he made new friends.

"I love it," she added. "I've been involved in all three aspects -- parent, teacher and mentor. It's great."

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