student mentor

Who do you look up to? Our youngest George Grant Mason Elementary Students have plenty of role models to choose from, thanks to the district’s Peer Tutoring and STEM Capstone Internship programs.

January is “National Mentoring Month” and the perfect time to recognize the George Baker High School students who dedicate their time to assist in the GGM gym and classrooms.

Twice a week, mentors in the peer tutoring program make the trip across Tornado Drive to help out Coaches Brunner and Dowling during Pre-K and Kindergarten PE Classes. From the moment they descend the stairs into the John P. Mottola gymnasium, loud shrieks and screams of joy echo across the room and bounce off the bleachers. Once the class gets underway, our older students jump right into the day’s activities, which could include dancing, skipping, high fives; whatever is required to keep students motivated and on their best behavior.


This years peer tutors include Frankie DeGennaro, Sam Kainatsky, Maya McColgan, Juliana Scnalon and Marley Vaught. Coach Dowling is grateful to have them in her classes, because “they help to demonstrate responsibility, sportsmanship, and so much more in and outside of our gym.”

Outside of the gym is where you can find students taking part in the STEM Capstone Internship program. On one particular Friday afternoon this month, Senior Grace Donnelly assisted second grade teacher Ms. Blume for a late day STEM activity, patiently building a wooden train with her assigned partner. Downstairs and across the hall, Senior Anastasia Vishnevskaya lends a hand each week in Mrs. Rush’s Kindergarten class, assisting students with their work and play.

For the past 21 years, MENTOR has recognized the first month of the year as National Mentoring Month to advocate “for mentorship, legislative priorities, and raises awareness for how one conversation, one experience, and one mentor can change a young person’s life.” Thank You to our Tuxedo students fulfilling that mission.