FRIENDS of Founders

THE FRIENDS OF FOUNDERS PROGRAM encourages Upper School students to volunteer as mentors in Lower School classrooms. This initiative is designed to promote leadership skills, empathy, and mentorship abilities in Waynflete’s older students while providing Lower School students with individualized attention, role models, and guidance as they navigate their academic and personal journeys.

The program was initiated by Jocelyn Rodriguez ’20, who believed that there was an opportunity to bring together students from different backgrounds to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment. Joslyn worked closely with Lower School Director Anne Hopkins and a dedicated group of students to plan the project, which they described as “planting compassion.”

“Lower School students are looking for connections throughout their lives, and mentors can provide that,” says Anne. “It may be that there is an interest that a mentor has, or a particular distinguishing feature that makes a child feel an affinity or connection. The relationship between the teachers and the mentors is also an important one. They develop a partnership through determining what the younger students need, and teachers feel a responsibility to make this a productive, valuable time for these mentors and communicate their appreciation for what the mentors offer.”

As the effects of the pandemic ease, Friends of Founders continues to foster a sense of community and support while providing valuable learning experiences for both Upper School mentors and Lower School mentees.