Spartan Partner Schools Mentor

and the job listing Expires on May 21, 2026

Are you a graduate of a Lansing high school who likes working with kids? Then come join us next year at Forest View Elementary School in Lansing as a paid mentor for third- and fourth-graders! Training, transportation, and lunch provided!

In the Spartan Partner Schools Mentoring Program, ten MSU students who are alumni of the Lansing School District or neighboring communities will serve as mentors to third- and fourth-grade students at Forest View Elementary School in the Lansing School District. Mentors will visit the school on Friday afternoons six times during the school year for 3.5 hours to engage in fun academic activities (science experiments, math games, etc.)

with small groups of mentees. Mentors will also engage in initial and ongoing training to support their mentorship work. The year-long program will culminate with the elementary school students taking a field trip to MSU’s campus, in which their mentors serve as their hosts and tour guides.

• Spartan Partner School Mentors will:
• Serve as a youth mentor to Lansing kids in the third and fourth grades (ages 7-10). This includes:
  • Building positive, supportive relationships with kids
  • Strengthening community, friendships, and belonging among kids
  • Fostering kids’ interest in attending college
  • Modeling a positive attitude toward school and learning
  • Planning and implementing fun learning activities with small groups of kids
  • Helping kids learn through shared engagement in educational activities
• Participate in initial and ongoing training focused on topics such as working with kids in an educational setting, establishing appropriate boundaries, and professionalism
• Collaborate with program leaders and other mentors to design activities
• Maintain professionalism and responsibility
• Fulfill their commitment to their mentees by attending all training and mentoring visits. For the  academic year, the dates are:
  • Initial training: 9am – 2pm on Friday, August 28
  • Follow-up trainings: 1pm – 2:30pm on 7 Fridays:
    September 11, October 16, November 13, January 29, February 26, April 2, and April 16
  • Mentoring visits to Forest View Elementary School: 11:30am – 4pm on 6 Fridays:
    September 18, October 23, November 20, February 5, March 5, and April 23 (time includes 30 minutes to travel to the school and 30 minutes to travel back to MSU’s campus)
  • Elementary school students’ field trip to MSU: 10am – 2pm on Friday, April 9

Transportation to the elementary school will be provided, and lunch will be provided during the mentoring visits and field trip.

• Current MSU student in good academic standing
• Sophomore or above as of fall 2026
• Former K-12 student in the Lansing School District or surrounding communities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to supporting young students from diverse backgrounds
• Must pass background check to work with minors

• Experience working with children ages 7-10
• Demonstrated leadership, involvement, or mentorship experience
• Ability to balance leadership responsibilities with academic commitments

Interested candidates should submit their resume and letter of interest.

Resume:
The resume should outline relevant skills, work experience, and leadership roles.

Letter of Interest:
Please share why you are interested in being a mentor to Lansing kids ages 7-10, what special skills or characteristics you possess that would make you a good mentor, and any relevant experience

For questions, please reach out to Dr. Kristy Cooper Stein in the College of Education (kcooper ).