The Bill of Rights for All Students

Gallup shared an awesome resource with us many years ago called the "The Bill of Rights for All Students." Their proclamations in this bill of rights is based off of their years of researching the classroom through their Gallup Student Poll. Through this tool, Gallup has studied the engagement, hope, and well-being of students in schools across the country.

Through their decades of research, they have found that students need three things:

• someone who cares about their development
• to do what they like to do each day
• to do what they are best at every day

But how can we as a mentor meet these needs of students? 

First, and most readily, we are that someone who cares about their development. We get to show up each week aiming to bring about our mentee's full potential. We do not show up to fix, to judge, or to question our mentee, their teacher, or their parent. We show up with unconditional love and acceptance, ready to point out their success. I remember the activity of "mentor is" and "mentor is not" during my own mentor training. I know a mentor is caring, compassionate, an advocate, a conduit of agape love, and so much more. 

Secondly, we get to be people who allow our students to do what they do like. By sharing power with our mentee, and allowing them to guide how we spend our time together, we give them the opportunity to do what they would like to do. It is not often, in the life of a young person, where they get to dictate how they spend their time. By giving them the opportunity to choose what to do during your mentoring time, you are not only allow them to do something they like, but you are also giving value to their opinion and agency as a fellow human being. 

Finally, as mentors, we can be a champion for our mentee's best self. During your mentoring time, your mentee has the space and security to be their best self. But also, as an advocate, you can help your mentee reflect on their time at school and notice their best self in action. Through utilizing the language and mindset of strengths, you can engage your mentee in discussion of their use of strengths at school. Help them to spot their strengths in action during class, in the lunch room, and on the playground. In doing so, you help them see themselves at their best, which is something each and every one of us need reminding of. 

Find the full document from Gallup on the student's bill of rights by clicking HERE.