What is the history of E-Mentoring, Esq.?

In 2004, leaders of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) were invited to work with the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) to develop a program that would positively impact the alarming drop out rate of Dallas ISD students.  The Dallas ISD was interested in exposing their students to legal professionals in the community.  DAYL and DBA leaders met with Dallas ISD administration and together the organizations worked to develop a program that they hoped would provide a way for busy lawyers - already active in their profession and community organizations - to fight these disturbingly low high school graduation rates.  Realizing that many legal professionals would not be able to make the commitment necessary for a face to face relationship, E-Mentoring, Esq. was born.

The need

In 2003, the Dallas ISD Superintendent cited that approximately 50% of 9th-graders do not graduate from high school. 

Studies issued by America's Promise Alliance indicates that Dallas ISD's graduation rate in 2004 was the 7th worst in the nation - 44.4%.   In 2005, the graduation rate was 50.8%.

How are schools and students selected?

Each summer, the E-Mentoring, Esq. Committee selects a number of Dallas ISD schools to participate in the upcoming school year.  Schools that are eligible must participate in the "Advancement Via Individual Determination" Program (AVID).  Students enrolled in AVID plan on being the first in their families to graduate from college, and they are improving their TAKS test scores!  

Students who participate in AVID at E-Mentoring, Esq. schools are assigned an e-mentor.

Growth

In 2004, E-Mentoring, Esq. began with 45 e-mentors and 45 freshman at W.W. Samuell High School.  The program doubled in 2005, to 93 e-mentors e-mailing 107 students.  During the 2008-2009 school year, E-Mentoring had over 450 e-mentors e-mailing with over 800 students at 11 Dallas ISD middle and high schools!!

What do students say about E-Mentoring, Esq.?

These quotes demonstrate the major impact e-mentors are having with their students:

  • "The mentors changed my opinion about college, they gave me so many details about their college experiences.  College sounded really fun but you still have to work hard which does make sense.  I am very grateful to be a part of this program and a part of AVID."  Cynthia
  • "I am not sure what college I am going to attend, but I am going to begin to research different colleges.  Thanks to the mentors!"  Jose
  • "Before the mentors I really did not want to go to college.  I thought that I could not afford to go.  After hearing the mentors, I am going to college.  I am not sure where I will go, but I am going." Yakita
  • "I have always wanted to go to college, but I also had doubts.  People always told me that college was a difficult place to be, but I have set my goal to attend anyway.  Now, my main focus is to get through high school and to go to college.  Thanks to the mentors and AVID, to be successful is my goal."  Yolandia

 See more student quotes.....

What do mentors say about E-Mentoring, Esq.?

  • When I first volunteered to e-mentor Adrianna, my first thought was “what are we going to talk about for 9 months?”  Adrianna didn’t like high school, didn’t care about her grades, and had little ambition to improve.  However, Adrianna told me that she wanted to be a nurse.  I tried to explain how much school, hard work, and good grades  would be required,  and encouraged Adrianna that she could easily do it with a little effort.  We e mailed about classes, grades, cheerleading and football, about teachers and attending extra study sessions, about her birthday, and within 1 or 2 e-mails it was easy to see all I needed to do was encourage her to study and ask about her grades and classes.  Sometimes I felt that just having someone to “share” her grades with helped Adrianna care more about them.  Before I knew it, we were sitting together at the End-of-Year Banquet and Adrianna was presented with the Award for the Most Improved Student.  I was so excited for her, and I was proud to hear that she passed every area of her TAKS tests!   She had also improved her grades by over 20 points in some subjects!  It was one of the most rewarding experiences I had all year and it only took about one e-mail a month.

Do I have to be a legal professional to be an e-mentor?

  • No.  Since 2007, E-Mentoring, Esq. has been open to all legal and business professionals!

How do I sign-up to be an e-mentor?
 
Visit our "Volunteer" page.

How do I make a charitable contribution to the DBA for costs of E-Mentoring, Esq.?
 
Visit our "Donate" page.