Pass it on. The mentors in the Gifted Mentorship Program pass on their expertise and love of a profession to students who get to “try out” that profession. Junior and senior high school students experience what really happens in the doctor’s office, on the archeological dig, or wherever they envision their career taking place. This experience has happened with hundreds of our mentors throughout the years and we would like to highlight just one of our outstanding mentors.
Katie Larson, Educational Director at the Alaska Zoo, has been mentoring in our program for six years. Katie teaches students about various animals at the zoo, and then helps them present this information to Anchorage school children as part of the zoo’s outreach program. Katie states that public education with regards to wildlife issues is an integral part of the zoo’s mission.
Katie’s current student, Kelly Pierce-Bulger of Stellar High School commented, “I had an incredible experience working with Katie to educate my classmates about global climate change and polar bears.” Kelly and Katie have traveled to over 30 classrooms this year sharing their expertise on climate change and polar bears. Stated Kelly, “Katie has greatly helped me to realize the importance of this [issue] and also helped me to acquire the confidence to allow me to share my knowledge with my peers.” |
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In 2003 Katie mentored Chugiak High School student Amber Mount who participated in outreach programs to elementary schools with the goshawk, Orion. Amber, as a temporary employee of the zoo in 2005, was then able to mentor another student herself, Kaleigh Perry from Dimond high School. What a great opportunity for Amber as a former mentee to “pass it on.”
States Ms Larson, “It has been my privilege and an inspiration to be involved with these great kids. They rep-resent the future of our community and I look forward to working with more of them as a mentor.
Gifted Mentorship & AK Zoo |
Photo courtesy John Gomes/Alaska Zoo |
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