News

Tree dedication commemorates Illinois State-Westcott mentorship

By Lauren Huffman

(May 9, 2011) Students of Illinois State University and Oliver S. Westcott Elementary commemorated their mentorship experience by planting and dedicating a new tree on Westcott’s campus. The commemoration, held April 29, included community clean-up activities and a Peace Circle discussion on non-violence and empowerment.

The Illinois State and Westcott students united through CONNECT (Civic Opportunities to Network Needs for Educational and Community Transformation), an initiative supported by the University's American Democracy Project which promotes empowerment for both mentors and mentees through interactive skill building activities. Participants were able to demonstrate these learned skills by participating in and leading a community-based activity in their neighborhood that aims to help students realize the democratic ideal through civic engagement.

Near the end of the school year, the Westcott students and ISU mentors decided to honor the relationships that have grown out of CONNECT. Together, both student groups planned the community cleanup day and collaborated to design a plaque to accompany the new tree.

A highlight of the CONNECT program is the students' interaction via Skype. This endeavor was made possible through ISU's donation of Web cameras and microphone headsets to Westcott. Every week, ISU student mentors and Westcott mentees held 'Skype dates' and shared stories about their day, school work, pursuance of post-secondary education, and other topics of interest.

"This event shows the empowerment on the students' part," said Dr. Gary Creasey, ISU professor and director of CONNECT. This mentorship emphasized the newly-founded partnership between Illinois State's Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline™ and the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation. Auburn Gresham is one of two partner communities central to the TEACHER+PLUS project, which caters to teacher education majors who have an interest in pursuing employment in the Chicago Public Schools.