Mentoring

Time is pretty precious. Especially if you have to work two jobs to make ends meet.

But even if you don't have much time, mentoring is a totally rewarding thing to do.

I think I get more out of the mentoring I do than I give it.

To me it is a total treat to see a kid brighten up when they finally get a concept they were battling with before. For example, one time I had a child who just couldn't get reading. He felt stupid and embarrassed, and used to pretend to be able to read so the other kids wouldn't make fun of him. He was always getting into trouble in school and was heading for trouble at 120 mph.

I worked with him, using phonics and what I'd learned of study technology (developed by L. Ron Hubbard) and suddenly he got it. He sounded out a word and for the first time understood that these black marks on the paper meant real thoughts. It was revolutionary to him.

That was all it took. From the moment he got what reading was there was no stopping him. He suddenly could read.

I was reminded of the incredible scene in "The Miracle Worker" when Annie Sullivan got through to Helen Keller.

Anyway, this boy stopped having trouble in school and started to do well.

I almost didn't take him on because I was so busy.

What he and I both would have missed...