SLD 121D Critical Mentoring

Lecture Hours: 1
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 2

Expands on and wraps up mentoring, community leadership, and college access skills developed in SLD 121B and SLD 121C. Teaches students to facilitate their mentees’ transitions to high school or college, and to transfer the skills they have learned to other classes, to their career, and to other community engagement opportunities. Guides mentees through a mini-lesson and project related to an academic or community engagement topic of their choosing.

Prerequisite: Must pass a criminal background check to work with middle or high school students.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Master the necessary skills and qualities to be an effective mentor and college access coach for mentees.
Gain hands-on experience teaching mini lessons in academic or professional fields related to mentees’ interests.
Understand how diversity, equity, and social justice play a role in K-12 and higher education systems and develop the skills to integrate these issues into mentoring conversations.
Develop strong personal leadership and community engagement skills through planning and executing a service project or event for mentees.
Understand the importance of written reflection in service learning and develop a habit of reflection for personal growth.
Apply leadership and other skills learned in class to academic or career goals.
Integrate resilience, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills in mentoring roles.

Content Outline

Habits of Highly Effective Mentors
- Expand knowledge of personal leadership, academic success, and college access through advanced practice
- Growth Mindset: resiliency in schools and how children succeed
- Turning mentoring experience into useable skills
Teaching Through Mentoring
- Mini-Lesson Plans
  - Tying diversity, inclusion, and social justice to academic disciplines and professional careers
  - Incorporating community engagement and service into daily worldview
  - Relating lessons to college access
  - Content areas and activities for middle school students
Service Project
- Event planning and communication logistics
- Lead event and reflection for mentees