Looking for a way to boost student engagement, improve school climate, and enhance social-emotional learning? Peer-to-peer mentoring might be the answer! This collaborative approach empowers students to learn from and support each other, creating a powerful network of connection and growth.
What is Peer-to-Peer Mentoring?
Peer mentoring pairs an older student (the mentor) with a younger student (the mentee). Sometimes called cross-age or “near peer” mentoring, this pairing allows the mentor to share their experiences and provide guidance, while the mentee gains a supportive friend and role model.
Example partnerships include a high school student mentoring a middle school peer, a middle schooler paired with an elementary student, and a Junior mentoring an incoming first year student. Research conducted by MENTOR and the Taco Bell Foundation found that peer mentoring relationships are especially helpful around times of educational transitions, such as when a teen moves from middle school to high school.
Peer-peer mentoring is a powerful partnership where students learn from and support each other. It’s different from peer tutoring, which focuses on academics, and peer counseling, which addresses deeper emotional issues or conflicts. Peer mentoring is about forming a relationship, building a sense of belonging, and navigating the challenges and celebrations of school life together.
Why Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Matters
There are many benefits of peer mentoring, impacting mentors, mentees, and the entire school community.
- For Mentees: Feeling more connected to school, improved attendance and grades, stronger social skills, smoother transitions (e.g. middle school to high school), and a boost in self-confidence are just some of the outcomes studies have identified.
- For Mentors: Mentoring helps older students develop leadership and communication skills, improve their own academic performance, and gain a sense of purpose by helping others. Mentorship can also be a valuable experience to guide future career selection.
- For Schools: Peer mentoring contributes to a positive school climate, reduces dropout rates, and encourages collaboration among students and staff. Peer mentoring programs are often less costly and simpler to implement than traditional adult-youth mentoring structures.
Curious About How to Get Started?
- Assess Needs and Resources: Identify the specific needs of your students and explore existing resources in your community.
- Identify Adult Leaders: Find adults who have the capacity and commitment to facilitate the peer-peer mentoring program, as studies indicate that adult leadership is a key ingredient of successful peer mentoring programs.
- Design Program: Establish clear goals, develop guidelines and eligibility criteria for mentees and mentors, matching processes, and training procedures. Research shows that a well-supported program structure is essential to realize the full benefits.
- Recruit and Screen Mentors: Find enthusiastic students and ensure they are well-prepared for the role.
- Provide Training and Support: Equip mentors with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Develop structures and activities to support meaningful mentor-mentee interactions. Let youth lead as much as possible, with adult supervision.
- Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly assess the program’s effectiveness and make improvements as needed.
Helpful Resources for Peer-Peer Mentoring Programs:
We know that mentoring works. Adult-youth mentoring programs have a proven track record of success, and peer-to-peer mentoring offers another powerful avenue to achieve those same incredible outcomes. Interested in trying peer mentoring on a small scale in your classroom before thinking about a school-wide program? Check out our lesson plan on Co-Mentoring, a reciprocal relationship which pairs student of the same age. By empowering students to support one another, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that strengthens the entire school community.
About the Author
Sarah Murphy is the Evaluation Manager and a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in History and a Master’s in Education. Sarah began teaching in 2004 at the elementary level. She now leads Teaching Channel’s Evaluation Team, managing our wonderful team of Course Evaluators. Sarah is also a coursewriter and content creator, specializing in edtech, educator wellness, and content area teaching.
Fun fact: Sarah has camped in 18 national parks and hopes to visit all 63 someday!
