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| Celebrating WISE Mentors
Special Issue 2
Michael Chiariello, White Plains High School
First and foremost, be open-minded and compassionate.
Michael Chiariello, an art teacher and WISE mentor at White Plains High School, believes this is the number one rule of being a great mentor. In his 11 years of being a mentor, Michael has gained a lot of insight into the mentoring process and discovered what characteristics separate a good mentor from a great one. Michael shares a few other pieces of advice with fellow and future WISE mentors:
- Do not make assumptions about anyone or anything.
- Have patience.
- Be a good listener.
- Give constructive criticism.
- Care about the relationship you invest in your mentee.
Most years Michael mentors multiple students, working with up to 5 different mentees at one time. Three of his students have done model presentations. "Model presenters are not necessarily the best academic students, so it's really awesome to watch these students rise to the occasion," said Michael. "WISE is an equalizer, putting all students in a place where they can succeed." Michael's favorite WISE projects are those that give students "great life experiences." One year, Michael lined up an opportunity for one of his mentees to intern with an Executive Producer at a TV Studio, but she only went to the internship once and ended up getting fired. With Michael's encouragement and support, she was able to bounce back. She refocused her project on why people get fired from their jobs and, after doing a lot of research, gave a final presentation on how people can retain their jobs. Seeing his mentee "turn a bad situation into a great one" was one of Michael's "proudest moments." Because of Michael's dedication to helping his mentees succeed, he also benefits from the WISE experience in many ways. The diverse topics students explore for their WISE projects, for example, have "forced [him] to continue to learn." Thanks to his students' unique interests and passions, Michael constantly finds himself stepping outside his area of expertise and learning new things. "Being a mentor has helped me become a better educator, human being, and leader," said Michael. "The payback you can get from helping people is the greatest."
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Tyrone Jones, Bronx Leadership Academy II
Tyrone Jones became a WISE mentor at Bronx Leadership Academy II to "support and encourage his students." For four years, he has "taught his mentees that they can do anything as long as they believe in themselves." In addition to boosting his students' confidence, Tyrone listens to his students and provides them with guidance, constructive feedback, and optimism to help them along their WISE journey. Over the years Tyrone has mentored many extraordinary students. One of his standout mentees from last year wanted to become a school counselor. The student interned with Tyrone and made a video of a day in the life of a high school counselor for his WISE project. During the student's final presentation, Tyrone has to step out, because "it became emotional." He was "so proud of and humbled by [his] mentee at the same time." "Once you become a mentor, you're hooked and you want to do it every year," said Tyrone. To all first-year and future WISE mentors, he added, "Welcome to the Mentor's Club." Read More |
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Andy Lutz, WISE Program Consultant
WISE Program Consultant Andy Lutz has mentored a total of 17 students since 1999. To Andy, a mentor is a "guide on the side" with certain expectations. "I became a mentor because a student with whom I had a great relationship asked me. WISE students ask mentors, mentors are not assigned to students."
Most memorable and proud moments include:
- Julie Pezzino sharing her feelings that she got while interviewing one of the "greatest generation" for an article on Memorial Day in 1999. Afterward there was not a "dry eye in the place".
- Cody Taylor's a cappella singing group asked me to sing with them during their concert.
- A phone call from Dylan Birdsall after his graduation from Champlain College where he said that he had been hired by a snowboard manufacturer as a marketing executive. Dylan's WISE project: Snow Boarding.
The most difficult part of being a mentor: The challenge is to remember that it is not the mentor's project. As you learn along with the student the tendency is to find materials for them. Read More
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Thank You, People's United Bank!
Thank you to People's United Bank, White Plains branch, for shining their Spotlight on WISE Services.
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May is WISE Mentor Month
The WISE mentor model has been transformative for tens of thousands of high school seniors.
This month we celebrate mentors.
Watch for special features throughout this month featuring mentor and mentee experiences.
We would love to include your mentor or mentee experiences. Email us at [email protected].
Get in Touch
We are seeking photos, articles and news for our newsletter. Please contact us at [email protected]. |
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WISE Services Board of Directors
Charles Knoblock
Glenn McDermott
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