Mentorships Examples

Teacher: Ms. Varda Sauer

WELCOME!!  It is a privilege to participate in the Magnet Internship and Mentorship programs. You will be representing NSCHS in our community, learning skills utilized in the workplace and sharing your expertise while making a difference for others. Each Mentorship and Magnet Internship student is expected to complete the entire assignment, report each day on time and perform tasks with professionalism. There are a variety of possible opportunities. Please review those listed and do not hesitate to consult with Ms. Sauer if you have any questions at all. We will have a conference in order to choose carefully so that this experience will be beneficial for both you and the receiving organization. Placements are made based on availability, skill set and interest. Every effort will be made to give you a placement where you will have a very rewarding experience.  I will try to accommodate your requests, but please understand that this may not be possible in all circumstances.  Please come with an open mind!

Elementary and Middle Schools- You may go to Woodland, Spalding, or Dunwoody Springs Elementary Schools or Sandy Springs Middle School.  You will be assigned to work with students in small groups or one-on-one assisting with academic assignments, homework or special projects. If you have a special interest such as art, music, math, science, computers, etc. please indicate this on your application and let Ms. Sauer know during your placement conference.  There are also some placements available in private schools within our community. Transportation required.  {Can be done combining your lunch period.)

Recycling- This is a very independent project.  You will coordinate recycling efforts here at NSCHS, including distributing containers and establishing a pick-up schedule.  You will publicize the Recycling program; you will collect from your territories and then take the recycled materials to the recycling bin on our property. The project currently includes paper and newspapers.  Students must be self-starters and able to work independently.  This project lends itself to two pairs of students working together.  It is sometimes possible to  not only “collect” at NSCHS…but combine this with going over to the Recycling Center and doing some “dirty work” like sorting glass…paper, etc. The past Recyclers thought it was great fun!!  Transportation is not necessary since we now have a bin on the North Springs property!  But, if you DO have a car…we can combine both options above.

Office Mentor at NSCHS- Students will be assigned to work in the Attendance Office, Media Center, Front Office, Magnet Office, or Guidance Office here at NSCHS. Students must have good office skills (or willing to learn!) and the desire to act professionally in a busy office environment. Students will often be given specific areas of responsibility such as bulletin boards, or school publicity. These spots are favorites of my students - so let me know if you are interested, as these placements are the first to go!!  Comfortable shoes are a must! 

Teaching Assistant / Lab Assistant- Students may be assigned to work within a classroom here at NSCHS. In some placements, you must have knowledge in the subject area, and in other circumstances, you may be able to assist in a classroom even if you don’t have content knowledge. You will assist the students and the teacher in many different ways. Mentors must work well with other students one-on-one or in small groups. This placement works best for students who are self-motivated and self-starters as the teachers are busy teaching….and they need you to “jump in” and help!  Mentors are needed in virtually every subject area to assist students who are in need of extra help.  Very rewarding!!

Northside Hospital- Selected students will have an amazing opportunity in a highly structured program. You will rotate through shadowing different doctors/departments as well as working as a volunteer at the hospital either at specific nursing stations or support areas. Students must have a strong interest in medicine or a related field. These placements require 7^th period Mentorship. You will be required to have a TB test at Northside Hospital during your Orientation.  There are very competitive criteria for these few positions.  Students must have “almost perfect” attendance, no discipline record at all, good grades, as well as their own transportation. You have to be available until 5:30 pm on selected days.  If you participate in daily after-school athletics or rehearsals, it is not possible to combine the two.  Applications must be submitted after an initial interview with Ms. Sauer, prior to the selection being made.  An essay is required.

Pre-School Education Assistant- Working at various pre-schools is one of the favorite spots! You would be working as a teacher-mentor with pre-school children who often need extra help in various areas. This is extremely rewarding!!  Students must have their own transportation.

Big Trees Forest Preserve- Located next to the Fulton County Government Annex, two blocks north of NSCHS on Roswell Road. You will be working with the director of Big Trees in developing and maintaining the trails, streambeds, and natural plant and animal areas. You will also assist with tours, educational and volunteer programs. You may walk to this assignment as it is very close to school. Must have Mentorship 7th period, two periods double-blocked or able to combine with lunch period.

Chattahoochee Nature Center- Students work with the animal rescue department at the Nature Center. They assist in the care and feeding of the animals including cleaning cages. This internship is very comprehensive and involves more than “just liking animals”. Must provide proof of recent TB test.  Transportation is a must. Must have Mentorship 7th period, two periods double-blocked or able to combine with lunch period.

Intern/Administrative Assistant/Volunteer at Community Non-Profit Agencies- There are a variety of openings…examples: You might be working at a local non-profit organization such as Keep Sandy Springs/North Fulton Beautiful, Heritage Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Revitalization, Community Action Center, Children’s Wish Foundation or others. Based on your interest and skills, specific individualized assignments may be set up to meet your desires. Let’s discuss what you are interested in, what resources you have, and we’ll see what we can set up!  Required to have transportation.

Children’s Wish Foundation- Students are needed to assist in all areas of fulfilling wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. This might involve paperwork, filing, phone calls, helping to ship packages in the warehouse, working on specific projects, helping with mailings, etc. This is very close to NSCHS.  Must have Mentorship 7th period, two periods double-blocked or able to combine with lunch period.  Transportation is a must.

Community Action Center- This center serves less fortunate people in our local 4-zipcode area. Special assistance is needed in setting up databases, and helping in all areas of the CAC. Much of what is needed involves working on the computer. It is helpful if you are bilingual…but not mandatory.  Students enjoy this tremendously!  Close enough to be done by combining with your lunch period.  Transportation is a must. Must have Mentorship 7th period, two periods double-blocked or able to combine with lunch period.

Veterinarian- I might have one opportunity for working with a veterinarian for a student who has a particular interest in possibly going to Vet School. If you can set something up with a Vet, please let me know and we might be able to work something out!  It is hard to get vets to agree – but when we do – it can be an amazing experience!  This can only be done if you have 7^th period Mentorship as the hours are usually until 4:30 or 5:00 on selected days of the week.

Individualized Assignments**- Students with volunteer connections or students who are willing to be extra-resourceful may apply to be assigned to special placements.  Special arrangements will be made between NSCHS and the contact person in charge of the placement. Students may not work for parents or relatives. Students may not be paid under any circumstances.  Students must complete the Mentorship/Magnet Internship Proposal Form, which includes the following: Name of Agency, contact person at the agency who will be serving as supervisor, address of agency where student will be reporting, phone and e-mail for the supervisor, a brief description of the agency’s mission and a detailed narrative or outline of the specific tasks/projects to be done as a part of the placement. This proposal form must be signed by the student and the supervisor.

Over the years, I have approved placements in an attorney’s office, an architectural firm, a boutique for an internship in merchandising, an internship doing choreography for a production, an internship assisting with casting and directing a production, a children’s cooking-class company, community theaters, dance companies, recording studios, television stations, and more.  These placements are often approved on an individual basis and might or might not be available to new students in the future.  Always see me if you have your own personal connections for an amazing internship!  Any proposal is pending complete approval by Ms. Sauer – taking every aspect of the specialized placement into consideration.

Hopefully I can get it approved and allow you to serve your Magnet Internship or Mentorship placement in an exciting specialized area!

**Please talk to Ms. Sauer if interested in this option.