05/03/2024
Best SELF Academic Mentorship: Empowering Students for Success
When sixth grade Best SELF participant, Aaliyah, needed assistance with a school project, she knew just who to ask for help – the Project Teach mentors. Best SELF has partnered with Project Teach, a medical student club, for years to support young learners. Aaliyah had been tasked with completing a “Layers of the Earth” project and was able to successfully complete it thanks to guidance and support from Sam, and Anna, both Project Teach volunteers. The mentors helped Aaliyah take pride in her project and elaborate on the content while breaking down the requirements into manageable chunks based on her teacher’s provided rubric.
Aaliyah feels like she can relate to the mentors, and they make learning fun. Getting to see and work with Sam specifically is one of Aaliyah’s favorite parts about coming to Best SELF’s weekly academic mentorship sessions. When Aaliyah was asked about what makes Sam a great mentor, she likes that Sam takes her time and makes sure she really understands the content before moving on. “She’s really funny, awesome, and I’m glad she’s my mentor!” Aaliyah says. Through engaging techniques and personalized attention, mentors work to instill confidence and ignite curiosity in Best SELF students, making every session a rewarding experience.
Aaliyah’s mom, Lesley, a teammate at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, is also a big fan of how Best SELF and Project Teach combine to support her as an Atrium teammate and her child’s needs as a developing adolescent. “Best SELF is a remarkable resource for Atrium employees. The program provides consistent support to children academically and inspirationally. The mentors are well versed in all facets of learning, so whatever my daughter has needed, there’s been a resource available. As a parent, Best SELF provides monthly check-ins to see if there are any other obstacles that may be preventing your child from excelling in the classroom. There’s nothing like having young minds exposed to the medical students and opening their eyes to new possibilities.”
Join us in celebrating Aaliyah’s success and the many other students who are empowered through Best SELF.
Register to join the Best SELF program and get your children started on their own journey today!
https://school.wakehealth.edu/education-and-training/center-of-excellence-for-research-teaching-and-learning/programs/best-self/enrollment-form
For the children of AHWFB teammates in grades 5 - 12, CERTL offers a year-round program of academic mentorship and counseling, experiential learning, and a summer enrichment program. This program, Best SELF, promotes student interest and engagement in STEM-related fields while encouraging academic achievement, college preparedness, and healthy behaviors.