Palo Alto College is working with local elementary schools to inspire young learners to set high goals in life.

Students from Palo Alto College are working with youngsters from Bob Hope Elementary and Palo Alto Elementary in the Mentoring Program, which

attempts to enhance the reading abilities of the young students while giving them a college role model.

The Honors Mentoring Program is coordinated by Karen Marcotte, History, Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies professor, Marianna Ornelas, Interdisciplinary Studies Instructor and Mary-Ellen Jacobs, English Instructor.

The program started in the Spring of 1994 for students who were thinking about educational career or who were still exploring options.

Ornelas said that the program is good for students who will become teachers because they get direct experience in their future profession. The course helps students gain a taste for teaching, while providing needed support to the elementary kids. Marcotte said that the course could help some students refine their life's goals.

"It made me realize I really want to be a teacher," said Stacey Ellis, sophomore Education major.

The course does have some requirements. First, you must pick up an application at the GE building in the Interdisciplinary Studies office, have a 3.0 G.P.A. enroll in the courses IDST 2370 & 2371, type a weekly journal, attend several seminars and meet with the kids twice a week.

One of Marcotte's main concerns is the lack of male students in the course. "The kids need more male role models," said Marcotte.

Marcotte tries to match male students with boys who do not have a father or kids who come from single parents.

Robert Salinas, a sophomore Elementary Education major, is one of the few guys in the mentoring program. He said he wants to be the perfect role model for the young students. He also added, "I like the challenge of dealing with kids and with their struggles, and to get them to the level they should be."

The one-on-one sessions consists of reading stories, comprehension, spelling and, for some students, writing. Rebecca Allen, sophomore Elementary Education major, said, "Kids need a lot of help in different areas. Getting to know them helps know what they lack."

All mentors have different lesson plans. Sheree Norman, Elementary Education major, does a lot of spelling. "If they can read it, they can spell it," she said.

The elementary students are treated to an end-of-the-year party provided by the President's Office hospitality fund, where they are rewarded and given certificates of accomplishment. The Honors Mentoring Program awards all college students with a $200 scholarship plus college credit, which is transferable.

A similar program is the "DO IT! Project," which began three years ago and will pick up again in the Spring. It permits students to earn a grade in one of their college courses. Another is "America Reads Challenge Program," where students receive federal work-study wages for their work as local elementary tutors.

For more information on all of these programs, contact Marcotte at 921-5035 or Ornelas at 921-5018 for the Honors Program and Marcotte for the Do It! Program, and Lucy Rodriguez at 921-5362 for the America Reads Challenge Program.