Student Success Portfolio Program Project Benefits for All Involved

Joan Zaretsky, Chair, Student Success Portfolios

For those of you who have not yet completed an application to enroll your family member into the Student Success Portfolio Project, below are some reasons to participate in this “winwin” program. There are benefits for everyone involved!

BENEFITS FOR RTAM MEMBERS and THEIR STUDENT RELATIVES

RTAM MEMBER BENEFITS

The project will provide the means and incentive to increase communication between RTAM members and their family high school students they are sponsoring. Recognizing the importance of a post-secondary education, RTAM members can feel pride in the role they will play in supporting their family members to be awarded funding to help with the high costs of today’s world. This project will provide RTAM members with an opportunity to experience renewed passion in their roles as teacher and mentor working with their family members. RTAM member involvement with their family members will promote positive mental health opportunities during a time when COVID has caused many to experience social and physical isolation. RTAM member involvement will support a sense of purpose in their lives and offer them a sense of social value to society.

RTAM members will increase their opportunities to know and understand their youth family member's challenges and issues while developing a relationship and creating a sense of trust. RTAM members can offer direct input into the writing of the applications to enhance the student's chances of being successful.

STUDENT BENEFITS

Portfolios encourage the collection of artifacts and evidence by the student to support their successful writing of award and scholarships applications. Portfolios help students focus on their knowledge, skills and attitudes to support their successful applications for bursaries and scholarship.

Portfolios help students track their changes and growth in important leadership skills through their high school experience.

Portfolios assist the student in becoming more aware of their own learning experiences and history.

Portfolios provide a framework to encourage students’ selfassessment leading to a more accurate choice of how they want to spend their future, their career aspirations. Portfolios provide a framework with resources for building a resume and completing university/college entrance applications as well as job applications. Portfolios save the student the time and agony of trying to recall their experiences and gather all their information to complete applications in their graduating year.

NOVEMBER DISCUSSION STARTERS

When it is time to apply for Scholarships, Bursaries and/or Awards, it is almost guaranteed that you will need a reference letter as part of the application process. Getting a letter of reference can feel like a challenge, especially if you do not know whom you should ask to supply this important document.

Typically, a reference letter provides the Award Committee(s) with valuable insight regarding your qualities, character, and accomplishments. Whether your referee (person writing the reference letter) knows you well or not, it is a good idea to assist this person with a document where you reflect on your strengths, goals, skills, and significant experiences.

The best reference letters come from people who have worked closely with you and who understand the goals of the award for which