More Than Tutoring
Academic mentoring is more than just tutoring or homework help. It is a one-on-one, caring, supportive partnership between a mentor and a student that is based on trust and whose purpose is to focus on the scholastic needs of the student toward achieving his or her fullest potential. A mentor is a wise and trusted adult with a commitment to provide guidance and support to the student. Academic Mentoring is also focused on developing growth mindsets, character development, etiquette, confident self-expression, and exposure to the broader world.
During the school year, the Crossover schedule emphasizes academics and athletics. Students are busy every day with these two components. During the summer, although we maintain athletic training and academic efforts, we shift gears and focus more heavily on mentoring and life exposure. We provide experiences that can shape the students’ vision about what is possible in their own education and careers. We change their summers from idleness to purpose-driven experience, from present-oriented thinking to future-driven exposure, skill development, and dream building.
One-on-one academic support has proven highly effective!
Motivation: Tricky But Essential
The most important factor in the success of a child or teen after parental influence is his motivation, his drive to work for something, his “want to!” Finding the key to that kind of motivation is tricky but essential, especially with under-resourced children and teens. Young people have an abiding need to belong, to be liked within their peer group, and to feel accepted by those around them. Our Crossover student athletes are also highly attracted by basketball, athletics, and the popular culture surrounding these. At the same time, however, many kids experience inconsistency, uncertainty, and failure on a daily basis. A strong relevant role model and a pervasive positive culture for success are needed – a new paradigm, one that taps into the kids’ hunger for belonging and consistency, reduces uncertainty, and mitigates failure. In this way, a new road map for excellence develops, leading to a deeper, more intrinsic life-changing type of motivation.
Kids Need a Powerful Force for Good
Many Crossover student athletes possess alpha personalities. Tough walls have been erected around their hearts. They need a powerful force of goodness and love to guide them. They need the help of Crossover — a family of belonging, striving, and achieving that provides a positive, life-building community of peer acceptance and approval.