Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/10/2014 02:47 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/10/2014 02:47 PM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM
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Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Northington Honored as December 2014 Mentor of the Month
The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is honored to include County Superintendent of Schools Kathy Northington in its roster of dedicated volunteer mentors. With gratitude for her service, Kathy Northington has been selected as the Mentor of the Month for December 2014. Kathy is a lifelong resident of Calaveras County, and has worked in education for 37 years. She has mentored two girls through the Calaveras Youth ....
Mentoring Program, and she has been matched with her current 14-year-old mentee, Dezalena, for almost two years. “Kathy is an extraordinarily dedicated volunteer,” said Colleen Dolan, coordinator of mentoring programs for the Calaveras County Office of Education. “When it comes to supporting kids, Kathy is the kind of mentor who just doesn’t back down. Helping young people thrive is clearly her life’s work.”
As an educator, Kathy has supported the work of the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program since its inception in 2003, but in 2011 Kathy decided that it was time for her to become a mentor herself. Since then, her appreciation for the program has only grown. “I am very impressed with the quality of the program, especially the effort that the staff put into making sure that the matches are right for everyone involved: the mentor, the student, and their parents,” she said.
Over the past two years, Kathy and Dezalena have bonded over many activities. They meet weekly or biweekly to bake, play board games, or work on their photography skills. “It was challenging in the beginning to find activities that we both wanted to do,” said Kathy. “Since we’ve gotten to know each other, we’ve found our common ground. This summer we went to a performance of The Sound of Music, which was a first for Dezalena. She enjoyed it so much that we are planning to see Cinderella in Sacramento next spring.”
When Kathy talks about her mentee, it is clear that she has developed great admiration for her young friend. “Our relationship is growing, and we understand each other,” said Kathy. “Dezalena embodies a resilient teenager; she’s gone through adversity, but she remains upbeat.”
Dezalena’s father, Chester Miner, is grateful to have Kathy as a mentor in his daughter’s life. “Kathy is a great communicator,” said Chester. “She has developed really consistent, open communication with Dezalena. She talks with her on her level and helps her feel like an equal in their friendship. I appreciate her dedication to Dezalena as a mentor and her dedication to other kids in our community as an educator.”
“Being a mentor is also an opportunity for personal growth,” said Kathy. “Spending time with a young person can be a lesson in self-reflection. Dezalena frequently challenges me to reassess how I interact with kids.”
Kathy also encourages others to volunteer. “There are a lot of kids waiting to spend time with a mentor,” said Kathy.
The Mentoring Program is currently seeking volunteers. Four boys in Angels Camp and five boys in Murphys are waiting to be matched with a mentor. Participation in the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is entirely voluntary, and all parents are supportive of their child being matched with a mentor. For more information about the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, please contact Colleen Dolan at (209) 736-6078 or visit the program online at www.calaverasmentoring.org.
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