January is National Mentoring Month and Catoosa schools on Friday, Jan. 29, planned to honor its mentor coor-dinators from every school during a luncheon at Heritage High School.

However, due to the schools closing at 1 p.m. because of impending snow, only Heritage High coordinators Alli-son Allen and David Tindell, parent and mentor Lisa Pierce, and Catoosa school’s Partnership 2000 coordinator Buffy Hemphill were in attendance.

All schools in the county have a mentoring coordinator that helps find mentors to aid students in their studies and development.

According to its mission statement, Partnership 2000 is “a unified effort of schools, businesses, and the commu-nity to promote and support student success.”

Hemphill said there are more than 150 mentors in Catoosa schools and that the school system is always looking for more.

Tidell, who coaches and teaches in the Coordinated Career Academic Education (CCAE) program at Heritage, has his top students mentor at area elementary schools.

He said the most rewarding aspect of being involved in mentoring is seeing his students grow.

“No matter how rough of a day my students had at school,” Tidell said, “It all goes away when it’s time to go men-tor.”

Allen, who is also a guidance counselor at Heritage, said she has spoken with Tidell’s students and that many are now interested in perusing a teaching career.

“It’s very exciting to see them enjoy being involved,” Allen said.

Allen helps to find tutors for individual students who may be struggling academically or socially.

“All of our school mentor coordinators work to identify students who may need extra support in their lives,” Hemphill said. “The students are chosen based on their school attendance, behavior referrals, grades and social needs.”

Pierce, who has children at Heritage Middle and Heritage High, said once students reach middle and high school, parents often communicate less with the schools.

She added that although anyone interesting in mentoring is greatly appreciated, parents often make the best mentors.

“I’d love to see more parents involved in the mentoring program,” Pierce said. “Because they’ve all ready raised children, they tend to do a great job."

If you’re interested in mentoring, contact Buffy Hemphill at Heritage High School, 706-937-6464.