What happens when dedicated community members commit to guiding students through their most formative years? The Pathfinders mentoring program creates exactly this transformative connection, pairing adult mentors with students from 7th through 12th grade at Flat Rock Middle School and East Henderson High School.
Maggie Gilliam, director of Pathfinders and retired Henderson County educator, shares the program's innovative approach with the George Real Estate Group's Hometown Heroes series. Unlike traditional mentoring that targets specific populations, Pathfinders serves every student in participating grades unless parents opt out. Even more remarkable is the program's continuity - mentors follow their students from middle school through high school graduation, creating relationships that deepen and evolve over six crucial years.
Now in its second year with 96 mentors (many retired educators themselves), the program has ambitious plans to expand across Henderson County schools. These mentors each guide 5-6 students, meeting every other month to discuss academics, attendance, extracurricular activities, and future aspirations. The mentors don't just provide academic guidance - they help students explore potential careers, college opportunities, military service, or workforce entry based on each student's unique interests and talents.
Pathfinders emerged from a successful Rutherford County model and operates through the Henderson County Education Foundation. The program's impact is already evident as Maggie describes the joy when mentors reconnect with students after summer break, their initial awkwardness replaced by genuine excitement and comfortable rapport. This growing connection exemplifies the program's power to influence the next generation's success.
Want to make a difference in a young person's life? Visit the Henderson County Education Foundation website to learn how you can support Pathfinders through volunteering or donations.