AFL Mentor Spotlight: Brent Hopkins - United Way Northeast Florida

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AFL Mentor Spotlight: Brent Hopkins

January 23, 2018

Community News | High-Quality Education | Supporter Profiles

Mentee: Jymin, Arlington Middle School

What do you like most about your mentor?
- That he helps me with my homework and makes it more understanding.
What is the best advice you have received from your mentor?
- Never give up!
What is your favorite memory with your mentor so far?
- When they play Scrabble and I would beat him all the time.
What are some accomplishments that you have accomplished with your mentor?
- He helped me bring my science grade up.

Mentor: Brent Hopkins, 1010XL

What do you enjoy the most about mentoring?
- Sharing, listening, and observing mentee progress from an educational and social standpoint.
How long have you been mentoring?
- 2+ years
What are some of things you and your mentee do during your session?
- Assignment/grade review, discussion about past and current week events at school and home. And SCRABBLE!

What inspired you to become a mentor?
- A radio campaign – initially I helped orchestrate it through work to help recruit mentors, but it wasn’t long before I thought “why not me?”
What are some goals that you and your mentee set?
- Grade improvement is the main goal – meeting all assignment deadlines, organization tactics, discipline, etc. Discussing how that will translate into him exceeding larger goals later in life.
What is your favorite memory with your mentee so far?
- Throwing football and encouraging him to take photos with Jaguars players at (school sanctioned) event end of last year – he was so pumped!
Is there anything you would like to share with others about your mentoring experience?
- One hour per week for you to make a difference – rest assured that you’ll receive more gratification than you think (or maybe even deserve) – absolutely worth it.