Student Mentor Program Breaks Down the Language Barrier

Photos by Masha Goncharova Mentors and participants work on projects together through the Juntos program at LBHS. In his second year as director of Juntos, Javier Diaz has redefined the limits of an after-school activity. The program, meaning "together" in Spanish, aims to foster a friendly environment in which Spanish-speaking students struggling with school can seek help from high school mentors. With Diaz's help, Juntos is flourishing into a three-day-perweek course that serves as a social venue for both mentors and "mentees."

While the number of students has risen from 10 middle school and eight high school students in 2007 to 14 middle school and 18 high school students in 2009, Diaz is most pleased with the rising number of mentors. Currently, Juntos's mentor group is comprised of 43 high school students, a huge jump from the 25 student mentors in the program two years ago. "Due to the increase in participation and the positive impact on students, the Juntos program was one of the signature practices that helped Thurston Middle School receive the Distinguished School award," said Diaz.

The increasing volunteer number has proven successful in stretching Juntos to the elementary schools as well. Five mentors drive to El Morro Elementary School, expanding the activity's reach throughout the district.

Despite increased enrollment, Diaz has managed to maintain an environment of one-on-one, individual attention. Ideally, students can enter the classroom any day and find a high school student mentor available.

Although this isn't always the case, Diaz's goal is for a well-balanced program of education and fun. A small group of high school mentors formed a planning committee that offers their perspective on fun activities, such as a Juntos-planned trip to Knott's Berry Farm. The committee also helped purchase new computers for the Juntos classroom, which was very helpful to those without Internet access at home.

"By providing the computers, the students are able to complete their assignments, do research, and check their grades/ homework assignments," Diaz said.

Juntos students are also exposed to motivational speakers and job presentations. Diaz invites successful role models who are not necessarily native English speakers and who help prove that anybody can be successful through hard work.

Through the Kaleidoscope Career and Technology Program at Saddleback College, Juntos addresses the career interests of middle school students by allowing them to explore different career paths. Students also make visits to possible employers such as the Irvine police department, a Mercedes Benz dealer and Hoag Hospital.

The accomplishments of Juntos can be attributed to Diaz, who has pushed the program into unexpected areas and strives to see his students excel. "By having middle and high school students interacting in the program, it creates a bond that can facilitate the transition process for many students who are coming into their freshman year of high school," Diaz said.

An equally important barrier is crossed in the Juntos classroom. Not only do students leave behind the social pressures of cliques and stereotypes, they are able to make new friends across social boundaries. The goal is for students to take the lessons learned from Juntos and transcend the social barriers outside the classroom.

"I want the students who are mostly Latino to feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging. For many of these students, Juntos is the only school-related activity/ club that they belong to. I want to provide a place where they feel comfortable and relaxed so we can tap into their true potentials," Diaz said.

Masha Goncharova is a Laguna Beach High School junior.