WINNIPEG, MB – A new book by four University of Winnipeg professors devoted to the art of mentoring is based on the belief that all children deserve to be engaged, challenged and supported, and teachers can play a vital role in preventing youth from falling between the cracks.
“Many youth don’t have a sense of belonging at home or in school,” said Alan Wiebe, professor in the Faculty of Education, UWinnipeg’s Mentorship Program Coordinator and one of the authors of Mentoring in a Canadian Context. “Kids who are not connected to their worlds are vulnerable. They need to belong and feel they have something to give.” The book highlights projects built to serve specific “at-risk” youth, including Aboriginal teens, war-affected youth, economically disadvantaged young people, talented but troubled students and youth in the criminal justice system.
Along with Alan Wiebe, Mentoring in a Canadian Context is authored by Ken McClusky, Dean and Professor of Education at UWinnipeg, Philip Baker, Director of ACCESS Education and Kevin Lamoureux, Professor of Education. Lamoureux, a former academic advisor with UWinnipeg’s ACCESS programs and now a new faculty member, made especially significant contributions as lead author. Released this month, 1,700 copies of the book are available to educators and will be distributed to teachers at a national conference devoted to resiliency this fall.
UWinnipeg is leading the way in Canada and is the only place in Manitoba that recognizes mentoring and provides credit for it as a teaching skill as part of the teaching degree program.
“Mentoring is about developing a non-judgmental relationship,” said Wiebe. “We go on a journey together with students and they set their own goals. Achieving those goals is success. For students who are at risk of disengaging, mentoring is an approach that works.”The forward to Mentoring in a Canadian Context is written by Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor at UWinnipeg who notes, “I have challenged our education team to develop the pedagogy and training of teachers to meet the task of preparing young people to be sensitive to local, national and global concerns. Located in the heart of Winnipeg’s inner-city, our Faculty of Education has the unique opportunity to immerse itself into the rich culture and heritage of the core area, weaving its own expertise, energy and human-power into the fabric of the community. This book showcases some of the work being done.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135 E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
