Pinellas board proclaims January 2025 National Mentoring Month; district reports growth in mentor participation

The Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 14 unanimously approved a proclamation declaring January 2025 as National Mentoring Month and heard staff describe recent progress in the district’s mentoring program.

Denene Wyman, senior coordinator in the Office of Strategic Partnerships, told the board the district had seen measurable growth in mentoring since July 1. "Since July 1, Pinellas County Schools has achieved significant milestones with over 441 newly trained mentors and over 1,228 active mentors district wide. These mentors have made meaningful impacts on over 2,250 students they support all across grade levels K through 12," Wyman said.

Wyman outlined steps the office has taken to support mentors, including evening and online workshops, partnerships with local municipalities that compensate employees to mentor, three pop‑up mentor appreciation events in January, and an annual mentor awards breakfast set for Feb. 4. Superintendent Hendrick invited board members to help distribute informational materials that make it easy for community members to sign up as mentors.

Board Member Meyer moved to approve the proclamation; Board Member Peters seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, 7‑0.

The proclamation invited the community to recognize mentoring’s role in academic and social outcomes and to connect volunteers with district mentor‑recruitment resources.

The district asked board members to consider distributing business cards or palm cards with mentor sign‑up information at community events; staff said they would explore providing those materials for the board.