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Mentor Program

What is Chinquapin’s Mentor Program?

Chinquapin works with our junior and senior students to pair them with adults with overlapping career fields or interests.

The program’s primary purpose is to give individual attention to these students by providing role models who reinforce the benefits of attending college and encourage them to do something productive with their lives, either in the business or professional world. There are planned events throughout the year, and we encourage mentors to connect with their mentees once or twice a month and schedule other activities on their own. Whatever time you can give out of your busy schedule is appreciated.

Interested in becoming a Mentor?

Please email Laura Hipps

Why mentor?

Becoming a mentor at Chinquapin is rewarding and can help influence a motivated and talented young adult. In addition, our students often look for role models outside their community, which is a chance to demonstrate the possibilities that exist for them in “the real world.”

Responsibilities/Activities

Four events per year:

  • Get To Know You gathering in the fall.
  • Winter Dinner in early January at an in-town restaurant.
  • College/Career Day on campus, held during the spring semester.
  • Graduation in late May.

Suggested activities during the year:

  • Trips to civic, cultural, or sports events or restaurants
  • Museum visits
  • Work on job skills such as resume writing, interview skills, application forms, or other informal career guidance
  • Practice conversation and writing letters to develop communication skills
  • Take part in a community service project together
  • Offer guidance and support; introduce them to your family; make them feel special
  • College visits

Communication:

  • Try to e-mail or text at least once a month.
  • Hand-written letters are a great way to reach out to students.

Qualities of Successful Mentors

  • At a minimum, a personal commitment to be involved with another person for an extended period—six months to one year

  • A desire to be part of another person’s life, to help with tough decisions, to see them become their best; to invest in the mentoring relationship over the long haul, to be there long enough to make a difference

  • Genuine respect for the individual’s ability and right to make their own choices in life.

  • Mentors who convey a sense of respect and equal dignity in the relationship win the trust of their partners and the privilege of being advisors to them.

  • Mentors often help simply by listening, asking thoughtful questions, and allowing participants to explore their thoughts with minimal interference. When people feel accepted, they are more likely to ask for and respond to good ideas.

  • Good mentors can feel “with” people without feeling pity “for” them. Even without having had the same life experiences, they can empathize with their partners’ feelings and personal problems.

  • Able to see solutions and opportunities as well as barriers

  • Balances realistic respect for their partner’s natural and severe problems with optimism about finding solutions; can make sense of a seeming jumble of issues and point out sensible alternatives.

  • Flexibility and openness

  • A good mentor recognizes that relationships take time to develop, and communication is a two-way street. Willing to take time to get to know the student, to learn new things that are important to their partner (music, styles, and philosophies), and even to be changed by the relationship.

  • The ability to follow through with the mentoring relationship

Thank you for thoughtfully considering the requirements of this program before deciding to commit. Chinquapin’s juniors and seniors flourish in the mentoring program, and we wish all our students the best experience possible.

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Accreditation

Chinquapin Prep is accredited by TAAPS

Contact Info

2615 E. Wallisville Rd.
Highlands, TX 77562

(281) 426-5551

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Chinquapin Preparatory School does not discriminate in admissions, hiring or firing of faculty/staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services against any individual on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (gender expression), marital status, age, disability, race, color, national or ethnic origin (ancestry), military status, or religion (creed) in any of its activities or operations in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Chinquapin is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our Board, faculty/staff, students/families, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and donors. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. Chinquapin Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of sex in education programs and/or activities, admissions, or employment. Any member of the Chinquapin community should promptly report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or violence.