Being a Mentor

Sharing your time and life experience with a young person can be incredibly rewarding. Developing trust, finding common ground, and listening without judgement allows mentors to build meaningful bonds with their mentees. From there, time spent together – trying new things, learning about each other’s cultures and lived experiences, sharing hobbies, and just enjoying each other’s company – is a special and unique experience that benefits both the mentor and the mentee.

Research shows that young people who experience strong developmental relationships across different parts of their lives are more likely to show signs of positive development in many areas, including:

Increased academic motivation
Increased social-emotional growth and learning
Increased sense of personal responsibility
Reduced engagement in a variety of high-risk behaviors

What do MTC Mentors do?

A mentor is listener, a guide, and a supporter. As a mentor, your role is to support the development of self-esteem, model good communication skills and positive attitudes, and provide guidance around goal setting. You will build trust through active listening, offering understanding, and demonstrating respect. As a mentor, you will be a caring guide, but not a parent or guardian, disciplinarian or peer.

A mentor is expected to be genuine. MTC encourages our mentors to “Just be yourself.” When mentors act naturally and listen in a non-judgmental manner, the experience will be rewarding for both you and your mentee.

Do you want to be a mentor?

Mentor Tutor Connection (MTC) is currently recruiting mentor volunteers for the three high schools in the Mountain View Los Altos High School District (MVLA). For more information about mentoring, please see our Mentoring FAQs.

Interested individuals will attend a New Mentor Training prior to being interviewed by a Mentor Program Manager. If you are interested in learning more about mentoring, please contact us.

Mentoring FAQs

What is the time commitment to be a mentor?

Mentors are expected to see their students once a week for the first month, then once every other week or more after that. Mentors will find a time that is convenient for both mentor and mentee. Depending on schedules, mentors may meet with their mentees after school, at lunch, in the evenings, or on the weekends. Generally, a mentor spends an hour or more with their mentee each time they meet.

What kinds of mentors are you looking for?

MTC is looking for individuals who have been successful in life, not necessarily financially, but as members of society who have healthy attitudes, positive outlooks and compassionate dispositions.

Is there training for mentors?

New volunteers are required to participate in a two-hour New Mentor Training. These trainings are delivered by MTC staff multiple times throughout the year and on an as-needed basis. Some of the topics that are covered during the training session include: qualities of a good mentor, best practices, first meetings, mentor/mentee activities and other helpful advice. Additionally, there are mentor mini-trainings offered throughout the year for all current mentors.

Do I have the same student all the time?

We hope that the mentor will make a strong connection with their student and will enjoy an ongoing relationship which may last over the course of the mentee’s high school years.

What kind of financial obligations do I have as a mentor?

Mentors are only asked to spend money if there is an expense for any activity they participate in with their mentees. These activities need not be costly. For example, if a mentor and mentee go out to lunch or out for coffee, the mentor is expected to pay. Mentees should never pay for items or activities when they are with their mentors.

Where is the mentor program delivered?

We provide mentors for students who attend Los Altos High School, Mountain View High School and Alta Vista High School. Most activities and meetings occur off campus.

How do I become a mentor or get more information?

Click on the Contact tab at the top of this page and complete the form with your contact information. We will be in touch with you to discuss next steps.

What if I’m not sure whether I want to be a mentor or a tutor?

Please consider attending an MTC Volunteer Information Session where you will learn more about both programs, meet staff from both programs, and have the opportunity to ask questions and get guidance. Please see our upcoming events page.

How to become a Mentor

Volunteer Information Form

Mentor Job Description

Please view our Mentor Volunteer Job Description, or contact us using our contact form to get more information.

If you’re ready to become a mentor, please use our Volunteer Information Form.

A member of the MTC staff will get back to you within two days (mentor volunteers must be 22 or older).

We’re excited to have you join us in our mission to help students students reach their potential and thrive.

Certification Requirements: Mentor Program

All Mentor Tutor Connection mentors must meet specific requirements set by California state law, local school district directives, as well as our own internal training and interview criteria.

Note: All mentors must be age 22 or older.

MTC Volunteer Information Form

MTC Information Form

We invite you to begin the application process by submitting our Volunteer Information Form.

TB Testing

TB Test Instructions

Please click on the button to get full instructions for getting and sending results for a TB test or signed waiver.

Prospective mentors will have to upload a digital copy of the test result (or signed waiver) in order to sign up to get your fingerprints taken.

MVLA District Volunteer Application

Click on the button to get the instructions for completing the MVLA District Volunteer Application. MVLA will send you instructions for getting a Fingerprinting Scan – and – complete their online Safe Schools course.

MVLA Volunteer Driver Application

Volunteer Driver Instructions

All MTC mentors must complete the necessary form and copies of the supporting documents to be approved as a driver for students in the MVLA District. Please follow the instructions on the form and return everything to: programs@mentortutorconnection.org

New Mentor Training

Upcoming Events

MTC provides a 1.5 hour New Mentor Training session to all volunteers wishing to become mentors. This is a valuable training as it helps you understand what to expect from your mentee, gives you tips on starting your relationship, and introduces you to other new mentor volunteers. MTC offers additional mini-trainings for our mentors throughout the year and expects our mentors to attend at least one mini-training each year. A list of upcoming New Mentor Trainings can be found on our website’s events page.

Mentor Program Manager Interview

Prior to being matched with your mentee, you will be interviewed by one of our Mentor Program Managers. This interview will give us a chance to learn about you and your interests, and to determine if our program is a good fit. Upon approval, our goal is to make the best possible match for you.