“I love it,” said Welch, who was paired with White last year in the first year of the program and again this year. “I know I have someone besides a coach or teacher I can talk to about anything.”
That’s exactly what the program is aimed at doing - making connections between students and one other positive, supportive adult. It’s not just the students who gain something valuable either.
“It’s a rewarding experience for me,” said White. “It’s a personal connection with at least one student who I might not ever even know if it weren’t for this program. We talk about a little bit of everything. Just last week we talked a little about his future and what he wants to do. I’m proud of him and I tell him that. I like being part of his high school story and watching our friendship grow.”
High school teacher and coach Codie Nieder brought the program to TK after using it while coaching a girl’s football team in Florida. “When I started it in Florida it was just a good way to get people talking about girl’s football which was a new program, but it blossomed into so much more. Kids get so much out of it.”
He enlisted the help of TKHS special education teacher Chelsea Hall to introduce, organize and oversee the program which started last year. This year, 34 mentors have volunteered and are connected to 34 junior and senior student athletes.
“We wanted to create a way for staff to be more involved in different ways with students. This is a safe space for athletes to talk with someone they can trust,” said Nieder.
The mentors and students meet weekly with a different planned themed topic for discussion. They also have time to just talk about life in general and how everything is going. The first week focused on team unity and how unity can help build bonds for success on and off the courts and fields.
“We want our student athletes to know there are more than just the coaches there for them. We love that so many of the teachers and staff are on board with this,” said Hall. While the program has started with the varsity football team members, Hall and Nieder both hope the program continues to grow and expand to other high school student athletes.
“This is just the starting point. Our hope is that there are just more connections made and more people students feel they can trust,” said Hall. “It’s a great way to connect with kids in different ways. A lot of students probably wouldn’t ever know their mentors without this program."
TKHS art teacher Barb Maring is one of the mentors. “I really think that it’s important for students to have a variety of role models - not just coaches. It’s good that they see us as teachers in a different light as well. They may know who I am, but I haven’t had them in class or anything.”
High School special education para-pro Mary Chapman said the beauty of the program is that it gives the students and the adults chances to get to know someone they otherwise likely would never really know. “If a student needs help, I want them to know we are here and that they can feel comfortable talking with us as mentors.”
Junior Elliott Neff said he didn’t really know Mrs. Chapman at all before she became his mentor. “We just talk about things that are going on. It’s like life advice and encouragement to keep going strong even when things get hard. It’s just lots of encouragement and support and she understands that it is hard sometimes.”
Isaac Fleischmann said his mentor helps remind him how to keep his composure on and off the field. They talk about classes in school and how things are going. “I like knowing there is another person I can talk to at any time.”
Juniors Abram Dutcher and Camden Peter said they both know they have another adult they can talk to. “It’s just nice having someone else to count on - someone you can trust,” said Peter.
Jack Smith likes the time he and his mentor get to talk. “It’s hardly ever about football. We talk about what’s going and how we’re doing.”
“The most important parts of our talks have nothing to do with football at all,” said junior Parker Dahley.
Nieder said mentors are encouraged to ask their students difficult questions that make them think and go along with the theme for the week. Questions like: “How can you support each other when someone is struggling?” “What does being part of a team mean to you? How can you use your leadership to foster a strong team culture?
“Most of the time, the discussions have nothing to do with football. It's just communicating with each other about how they are doing. It’s a connection that runs deeper and helps keep students grounded,” said Nieder. “I think it’s phenomenal and the kids seem to really enjoy it. I would love to see this expand to other teams and groups and maybe even include teachers or staff from other buildings.”
Science teacher Joyce Zimmer said she’s thrilled to be a mentor. Her son played football in high school, at college and in the NFL. “I was a football mom for many years and this just gives me a chance to have a connection again with the players and the game.”
“I don’t know a lot of the varsity players. I’m not from here and this is only my second year teaching here. I just wanted to get back into football and find a way I could maybe help. Anything we, as adults, can do to encourage students to stick to being on a team and not giving up, is a good thing. We can also encourage them to do better in the classroom so they don’t lose their eligibility. I think that 1-1 connection is a big help in motivating them.”
Welch said it’s always nice to hear words of praise, affirmation and just positive feedback, even if he may already hear it from coaches and parents. “It just helps to hear it from other people too. It just helps build that confidence you need. I would tell everyone who gets a chance to be in this program to embrace it.”
Assistant high school principal Jeff Dock feels strongly about the benefits the program offers to students. “There can never be too many positive adults in a child’s life.”