School Zone
Community Engagement
A Mentoring Moment: by Steffani Gilligan
My name is Steffani (Hendricks) Gilligan. I am the School Instructional Coach at J. Allen Axson Montessori School. I became a Take Stock in Children mentor when I worked in the Magnet Office. My mentee was a sixth grade girl at LaVilla School of the Arts - and I was scared to death of her when I got my assignment! As a second grade teacher and a Magnet Programs marketing coordinator, I knew nothing about teenagers or middle school students! Courtney and I began checking out books together from the media center. In the beginning it was great for us because it gave us something to talk about before we really got to know each other. We had our chapters to read and we had our own little book discussions. Long story short, I stayed with her all through high school and then off to FAMU. I helped pack her off, giving her my beloved classroom fridge and a gift card to the school bookstore.
She has since returned to go to junior college here in Jacksonville, so we have resumed our ongoing meetings. I have watched her grow into an amazing strong young woman and have now become a friend. We meet monthly now for lunch on the weekend and I really love that we are both willing to maintain this special relationship.
If you’re a mentor and would like to share a story like Steffani’s or you were touched by this story and would like to become a mentor, please contact the Community Involvement Office at 904-390-2960.
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