Reciprocal Benefits of Mentoring: Results of a Middle School-University Collaboration

The authors report on a 2-year investigation of an after-school mentoring project collaboratively designed through a middle school-university partnership. The program was developed to meet the middle school's need to support moderately at-risk youth, while also providing a powerful experiential learning opportunity for preservice teachers. Participants engaged in self-exploration and relationship-building activities, in addition to working together to design and implement community action projects. Outcomes for both service-learners and recipients of service are presented. Middle school youth gained social and emotional skills, improved academic attitudes, and heightened community engagement. Mentors developed knowledge of middle school youth, teaching, and interpersonal skills, increased understanding of the community, and changed attitudes about teaching. Differential findings from year 1 and year 2 of implementation are interpreted based on changes in program design. (authors)