Strengthening Ties: eMentors Meet Mentees Face-to-Face in Yalgoo

Weekly eMentor sessions at Notre Dame as volunteers instruct students.

On the  30th of November 2020, a heartwarming scene could be witnessed at Yalgoo Primary School in the WA Midwest. After a term of communicating and building a relationship exclusively online, one lucky group of TLG eMentors had the incredible experience of finally getting to meet their online mentees face-to-face.

This opportunity was made possible through the combined efforts of Teach Learn Grow’s officers and sponsors, Yalgoo’s school staff, and of course the dedicated eMentor volunteers themselves.

The eMentor Program is a modern solution to an extensive problem throughout rural and remote Australia. The gap between educational standards in metropolitan and rural areas begins during early primary school, and the difference between learning outcomes continues to widen as students continue their schooling. The disparity between educational resources has become especially pronounced in the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing online tutoring and mentoring helps further the goal of bridging this divide.

Over the course of eight weeks last semester, a group of tertiary student volunteers in Perth conducted one-on-one mentoring sessions every Monday with upper primary students from Yalgoo Primary School. Sessions covered everything from goal-setting to internet safety, positive relationships and transitioning to high school. These were all conducted by eMentors via a virtual classroom, where mentors and mentees could meet face-to-face, chat and interact on shared screens. 

When asked why he decided to join eMentor, Yalgoo tutor Alex Jose said, “I first became interested in the eMentor program when a friend of mine who had participated in the Rural Program talked of his experience. Hearing of the bonds he created with the students, the friendships he made with other mentors and in general, how rewarding the experience was really sparked my interested in volunteering with TLG. As a result, I did some research into TLG and immediately signed up for both the eMentor and Rural programs.” 

Yalgoo coordinators demonstrating a STEAM activity at Yalgoo Primary School. Photo credit: Felix King Photography

Another eMentor that went on to participate in the Yalgoo Rural Program was Lachlan Waller. “EMentor quickly became a recurring highlight of my week,” he shared. “I would always look forward to the Monday sessions at Notre Dame. The cherries on top were my fellow tutors, all of whom I now consider good mates. Having a strong friendly connection with other university students with similar values made for an easy-going environment where I wasn’t afraid to ask questions and share ideas. Many of these tutors went on to participate in the Rural Program with me that year. Being able to pick up where we left off made for a vibrant team dynamic that really showed through our tutoring.”

By the last week of the eMentor Program, the relationships built between mentors and mentees had strengthened, and the prospect of an in-person encounter opened up for some of the volunteers. In the end, two coordinators and nine tutors went to Yalgoo, of which five tutors had participated in eMentor, and all were excitedly waiting to meet the students they were tutoring. On the first day of TLG at Yalgoo Primary School, the five eMentors were able to finally meet some of the students their group had mentored for a semester face-to-face. Lachlan joked that “it was like meeting a celebrity!”

TLG tutors and Yalgoo students on the playground at lunchtime. Photo credit: Felix King Photography

“Having only seen them on a screen beforehand, it was exciting to finally meet in person,” he explained. Alex also mentioned that as he had participated in eMentor with Yalgoo for multiple semesters, he was able to meet two of the students he had previously mentored. He expressed that, “being able to meet them in person after weeks of online tutoring was an extremely rewarding experience and we were able to solidify the bonds we made over the eMentor program.”

After the excitement died down, tutors and students dived into a week of games, STEAM exercises and maths activities. Both tutors and coordinators found that in situations with prior established relationships, the transition to in-person tutoring was smooth. Humna Tariq was one of the co-coordinators for the Yalgoo trip. Afterwards she said that, “having built interpersonal connections with the students due to the eMentor sessions, it was beautiful to see that there was little discomfort between TLG tutors and their mentees. It was obvious to see that eMentor had allowed the tutors to gain valuable information regarding their students academic progress, as well as having better awareness of their interests and strengths.”

When asked if the tutors also felt that the eMentor program made tutoring easier, Lachlan emphatically agreed, replying “for sure.” He elaborated that “since we already knew our mentees, we did not have to spend as much time building rapport and navigating our way through learning strategies. We arrived in Yalgoo with pre-made customised tutoring plans for the mentees, making for a more streamlined and efficient method to engage with the mentees and achieve their learning outcomes.”

Yalgoo eMentors and tutors: (left to right) Lachlan, Christopher, Kielyn, Michael and Alex. Photo credit: Cate Leedman

At the end of the week, all of the Yalgoo tutors said goodbye to their students and travelled back to Perth, worn out after five days of full-on tutoring. Reflecting on the program Humna said that it was one of the best Rural Program experiences she had since first volunteering with TLG in 2017. “The staff at Yalgoo Primary School form one of the warmest and most open school communities I have ever been to,” she said. “The Principal, Geoff, was excited and welcomed all that TLG represented within rural communities, knowing that the eMentor program had already had a positive impact on their students … Geoff was extremely pleased to see that mentees, students who would otherwise be seldom seen participating in activities, joined their mentors on the basketball court. He was extremely proud to see the growth of a usually shy student leading the game, and the older boys competing and including the primary school children within the game due to the impactful influence of their mentors.” 

When asked what they would like to say to those considering signing up for the eMentor program in 2021, both Alex and Lachlan voiced their support for the decision. “I would say this is a perfect way for any uni student to volunteer in making a difference,” said Lachlan. “The mentees truly enjoy the time they spend in eMentor sessions and I guarantee you will too. eMentor is a program for all personalities; every mentor fits in comfortably and your contribution will always be welcomed in the team.”

Alex also agreed, adding, “I would highly recommend [eMentor] to anyone looking to contribute to closing the education gap and provide a positive role model for disadvantaged children to volunteer with TLG. Not only are you able to provide disadvantaged youth with education, but you can also gain skills and knowledge that further your growth as a person in all aspects of life. I can say for myself and many others I know who have participated in the programs that it is an invaluable experience and one I will be sure to participate in again.”

Applications are now open for eMentor and Rural Program in Semester 1 2021

Coordinator applications for eMentor close on the 18th of February and Mentor positions close on the 25th. Rural Program applications close on the 31st of March.

Photo credit: Felix King Photography