Parent Mentor Program
The Parent Mentor Program began at Woodland in the 2022-2023 school year with Parent Mentors at the Primary and Elementary schools. After a successful first year, Woodland is looking for additional parent mentors. In the 2023-2024 school year, the program is expanding to Woodland Intermediate!
The Parent Mentor Program is more than just parent volunteers visiting their child's classroom. These are Woodland parents who apply to be part of the program and complete a formal training program before being assigned to a classroom. Parent mentors work four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, support the classroom teacher, and participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency. After completing 100 parent mentoring hours, our program participants receive a stipend of $1500.
Woodland is the first district in Lake County to implement the Parent Mentor Program. Parent involvement is so important in a child’s education and we invite you to learn more by contacting Tanya Abbey at Tabbey@dist50.net or by filling out this Google Form.
Parent Mentor Social Channels
Parent Mentor Weekly
Previous Parent Mentor Weekly Publications
Parent Mentor's First Day
Testimonies
I have greatly enjoyed getting to know my Parent Mentor, Mr. Freir. He is always willing to lend a hand with whatever task I might need assistance with for the day. He will work with a small group of students or just help walk around the classroom keeping students on task during instruction. When given the opportunity, the students will choose to work with him in a small group. Jim guides them without giving answers and challenges the students to think for themselves, oftentimes using the same phrases and reminders that I give the students. I always know that students that are working with him are getting wonderful, sincere guidance. Jim is eager to learn about the teaching profession and is constantly asking questions...a lot of the why behind why teachers do certain things. I know that some teachers feel having an additional adult in the room can be intimidating or feel the need to over plan things for that person to do. I have never felt that way with Mr. Freir. Jim comes in, asks what we are doing today and jumps right in. If he's not up walking around, he can even be found just sitting in a desk next to a student following along with the lesson to better help him be able to support the students during work time. I cannot recommend this Parent Mentor Program enough! Jim has been a phenomenal addition to our classroom and I know that the students will sincerely miss him when his hours of service are over. I just hope that he knows how invaluable he is to our learning environment this year!
Jennifer Silasiri
5th Grade Teacher
I can tell you honestly, that the students LOVE working with the mentors and the teachers are so thankful to have them in their classrooms. There is such a genuine connection between every mentor and students they work with. Our students at Elementary get so much out of the partnership that we are so fortunate to have them in our building.
Jared Reardon
Principal
Testimonies
I have had two different parent mentors, Mrs. Elva and Mrs. Nicole Frier, in our class. My students have loved both of them. Students question where the mentors are on days they have off. They both have helped my students who are struggling in Math. They have each pulled small groups to help guide them to understanding. Small group instruction is pertinent in math class. We have so many different levels of learning. Parent mentors make it possible to reach all of those levels. This is a great program and every teacher should have a parent mentor work in their class.
Amy Werner
5th Grade Teacher
"I am so happy I decided to participate in the Parent Mentor program at Woodland Elementary School. Mrs. Mohamed has been a true asset to my classroom. She has built trusting relationships with the students she works with in my dual language classroom because she is kind and consistent, coming four days a week for two hours each day. She knows the routines and the activities I want her working on with the students and needs little direction from me since we have established her mentor routine. The children look forward to her arrival each day and for their chance to work with her. Having another adult in the classroom helps my second-grade students get additional classroom support. Mrs. Mohamed helps with small group work and works with students one-on-one during language arts and reading. This gives my students extra opportunities to practice their skills. I would highly recommend having a parent mentor in your classroom. The stability of having the same parent mentor daily who knows your classroom, routines and students will truly enhance the educational experience in your classroom. "
Ms. Raube, 2nd Grade Teacher at Woodland Elementary
Parent Mentor Testimonial
“Having a Parent Mentor in my class has impacted the classroom in a positive way because I always have an extra hands and eyes with the students. They love her so much and treat her with respect and make her feel loved, that makes me feel so proud of them! Ada always helps me reading books and the kids love it! Also she is always happy to help with everything thats very much appreciated!! Everyone in cocodrilos loves her :)”
Patricia Matienzo
Kindergarten Teacher
" I have loved having a parent mentor in my classroom, she is so helpful everyday and it is awesome to have an extra set of hands in my classroom. She helps me practice letter sounds, sight words and reading with the students and I have noticed a difference in their growth with having an extra person to practice with them in addition to myself. My student's have been able to learn sight words much quicker than my previous classes as they get extra daily practice with my parent mentor. I love this program! "
Abigail Bablitz
Primary Teacher
