Why I Mentor
Oklahomans in every corner of the state are volunteering time each week to make a difference in a child's life. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has asked some of these mentors to share their experiences.
K.C. Snyder is a mechanical engineer in research and development for Centrilift in Claremore. Snyder and his wife, who teaches math in Tulsa, have a six-year-old daughter and newborn son.
Why is mentoring important to you?
Mentoring is important to me because I care about the kids and families in my community, especially those who are at risk of not acheiving their full potential. I think schools and families would be a lot better off if each student who wanted a mentor had one. A lot of kids don’t have very good role models, especially on TV, which seems only to cherish things that are out of reach, like professional athletes or rock stars. Many kids who need mentoring might otherwise never get to know someone who graduated from college and has a challenging and rewarding career. Your success and positive attitude can help your mentee visualize the possibilities available if he or she gets good grades and goes to college.
How or why did you become involved?
Several friends and coworkers also participate, and they told me how they enjoyed it.
How have you personally benefited from mentoring?
I know my mentee likes me because he is always excited to see me, and he confides in me for advice on issues in his life. I feel like we are good friends, and I am making a difference in his life.
Give an example of an activity you have shared with your mentee.
We usually just like to talk. In fact, after coming back from summer break, I asked him if he wanted me to bring a game or a ball to play with next time, but he said he would rather just talk. I like being a part of his life because he is a good kid and he has a lot of potential. I look forward to watching him grow and succeed.