The Nokomis School District is looking back on the 2023 year that was full of success academically, athletically, and emotionally. The Schools Peer Mentoring Program took off this year as 36 students, from grades 6th through 12th underwent training to be a student mentor to help struggling students in their grades.

Scott Doerr, Superintendent for Nokomis School District describes this initiative as kids helping kids in ways that adult staff cannot. The students will look to notice changes in other behaviors that could alert the mentor of a struggling classmate who needs some extra assistance.

The training the students receive makes the peer mentors aware and equipped to understand the daily struggles of their classmates. Doerr says, that speaking to someone your own age about student life is much easier.

The issue of struggling students continuing to fail begins and ends with having the tough conversations that start the road to success. Doerr adds that the student's confidentiality is important to the mentor's training and receiving aid comes easy for the students.

The students, staff, and faculty in the Nokomis School District are attacking the silent problems of students with the Peer Mentor Program and they hope the initiative finds success in the coming years.

Scott Doerr appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.