Take Stock in Children
January 27, 2019 1:00 p.m.
Editor’s Note: Malcolm Noden is just one of the many Take Stock in Children Mentors who gathered at the annual Mentor Appreciation Breakfast.
Malcolm “Mac” Noden and his student, Alex, gave up part of their weekly meeting to talk about the mentor/student relationship that TSIC has provided them. Each of them went into the relationship with some ideas that proved correct and some benefits that surprised them.
Alex was the first student that Mac had mentored. They started meeting when Alex was in the 9th grade and he is now a senior. It was a somewhat new experience for both of them. Alex wasn’t sure what to expect from a mentor. He understood tutors and thought the mentor meetings would focus on academic issues. He didn’t anticipate the more extensive exchange and has appreciated the wider life experience that Mac introduced him to.
Mac had tutored students in his career in education but that was sporadic. TSIC was much broader in scope, with a regular schedule. He wondered how the relationship was going to work out and how he would be able to make a connection with a young person. He was pleased that it turned out things seemed to develop easily.
Alex appreciated the wider dimensions of mentorship, including more than academics. Alex said the interaction with Mac had led him to a greater appreciation of how people thought about and reacted to things in other times. It opened up new ideas for him about how people respond to their society. Mac found the experience was a good one for him. He was impressed with Alex’ scholarship and openness to working together. He had the satisfaction of knowing that he could interact with and support Alex.
Their meetings this year have focused more on what Alex wants to study and where he will go to college. Alex said Mac has been good at helping him explore possibilities and hasn’t pushed. They have a relationship that allows each one to kid the other.
Mac expressed gratitude at the support the TSIC program has given him. He had to have surgery which meant that he couldn’t meet with Alex for a time. TSIC arranged for another mentor to fill in until Mac was able to start up again. He said the TSIC College Success Coach has been very supportive.
Mac, you arr the man…a very special man.