Big Eagle Eligibility:
Juniors and Seniors in HS
Good academic Standing
Models Community expectations
Little Eagle Eligibility:
By counselor referral
Big Eagles (mentors) are responsible high school students, typically juniors & seniors that embody time-management skills, follow the community expectations, and are in good academic standing. These mentors are trained on confidentiality by counseling staff. Little Eagles (mentees) are students in grades K-8 that may benefit from a positive relationship with an older student. Little Eagles are recommended by Counselors, and Big Eagle/Little Eagle pairs are matched up based on interests/similar experiences. Pairs meet once a week during Little Eagle’s lunchtime or at their convenience on campus in public areas. Big Eagles are responsible for completing weekly tracksheets.
A five year study found that children with mentors were more confident and had fewer behavioral problems than those without. They found that, in general, young people showed increased belief in their abilities to succeed in school and felt less anxiety related to peer pressure (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 2013, January 15). The goal of the Little Eagle, Big Eagle (LEBE) Program is to provide an opportunity to build relationships between students as well as provide younger students with positive role models. This has been show to improve communication skills, promote academic success, and increase graduation rates.
By helping others achieve goals, make healthy day-to-day choices, resolve conflict, or think through problems they’re facing at home or school, peer mentors also gain personal satisfaction and clarity in their own lives. The LEBE program offers older students an opportunity to develop patience, insight, and understanding, learn lessons in citizenship through working with the community, and build emotional and social intelligence. It is a chance to experience cultural, social, or economic backgrounds different from their own, improve leadership and communication skills, and gain experience for future careers in any industry. (Free Spirit Publishing. 2016, June 27)