Multicultural Mentorship Project
Illinois State University College of Education and Chicago Public Schools

Become a mentor and learn more about teaching in diverse settings

Teacher education students may become a mentor with the Multicultural Mentorship Project (MMP) and learn more about teaching in diverse settings. Through this program, students become a mentor and friend to a child who is growing up in the Chicago Public Schools. Mentors also have an opportunity to meet their mentee's family which enriches their understanding of cultural diversity.

The children gain from the mentoring relationship because they are encouraged to think about attending college after high school. They also know that it is great that an Illinois State University student who is studying to become a teacher cares directly about them as an individual.

Mentoring activities

• Mentors and mentees will communicate by letter multiple times a semester about school issues such as assignments, events, or concerns.
• Mentors may assist teachers in the mentee's school or class during two semester visitations.
• Mentors will participate twice a semester in a seminar during the time they are involved in the project.
• Mentors will support mentees with extracurricular activities in school or in their community.
• Mentors and mentees may spend time together at special events such as sports, cultural activities, movies, plays, picnics, and bowling.

Questions frequently asked

How old will my mentee be and where will he or she go to school?
You mentee will be between 10 and 14 years old and will attend one of the Chicago Public Schools.

How will I be matched with my mentee?
You will be matched to your mentee based upon your major. The project's needs will also be considered.

Does my participation in the Multicultural Mentorship Project mean that I will have outside academic assignments?
No. All of your work for the project will be done during the seminars.

When and how often will I meet with my mentee?
During the school year, you will visit your mentee's school two times through the Chicago Urban Bus Trip. You also will have one bus field trip to Chicago to be with your mentee in a recreational setting. You will keep in touch often through letters.

Does it cost anything to be a mentor?
There is a $16 fee to cover the cost of the bus trip to your mentee's school each semester. You may also want to purchase a small holiday gift for your mentee.

What if my mentee and I do not get along?
Relationships develop slowly in some cases. Part of your learning experience is to learn the techniques that will help form a solid relationship. The directors of the program will help you if necessary.

How long can I be a mentor?
You may be a mentor as long as you like, whether it's just one semester or all of the semesters you are enrolled as an education major at ISU.

Become a mentor

All openings have been filled at this time. Please check back near the end of the Fall 2009 semester for open positions.

MMP goals

• To educate Illinois State University students to be effective in culturally diverse classrooms
• To provide extended work and social experiences to culturally and ethnically diverse students and their parents as an integral part of the teacher education program
• To provide early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary majors with academic and mentoring support during the project
• To encourage a working relationship among mentor, mentee, and parents with regard to educational experiences
• To provide pre-service teachers and children with social and cultural experiences that increase sensitivity and awareness of other cultural, values, and beliefs
• To provide children with academic/educational support, tutoring, and mentoring for encouraging and promoting academic success and achievement for providing incentives to continue education after high school.
• To provide children career counseling activities that increase their interest in continuing education after high school.
• To provide parents with suggestions and encouragement for increasing involvement in the education of their children.

For more information

To learn more about participating in the project, please contact the program director, Dr. Lucille Eckrich.