Independent educational consultants can refer a student to Blackburn Mentoring when the student needs weekly help following through. The family completes a five-minute assessment or calls (888) 305 5422, our team holds a free intro call, and the student is matched with one dedicated mentor. With written permission from the family, or the adult student, the mentor shares progress with you and coordinates, while you keep your role.
Where a mentor fits next to a consultant
Consultants guide families through big decisions: school searches, placements, college lists, the shape of a gap year or a transfer. Those plans depend on the student doing the work in between meetings, and that is often where things stall. A student can leave a productive session with a clear list and then not open it for two weeks.
A mentor works on the follow-through. The student meets their mentor weekly or several times a week, with text and phone contact between sessions. Together they turn the consultant’s plan into weekly steps, build routines and work through what keeps getting in the way. The mentor does not change your plan or give a second opinion on it.
Students consultants often refer
- High school students who need structure to carry out an academic or activities plan
- Students taking a gap year who need weekly accountability for the plan you helped design
- Students heading to college who need help building independence first (see college transition mentoring)
- College students considering a transfer or returning after a leave of absence, who need help keeping their routines steady
- Students starting at community college first who need structure in a less supervised setting
Clear lines between the roles
Families get the most from both supports when the roles do not overlap. The consultant advises on schools, programs and the education plan. The mentor helps the student follow through. Specifically, mentors are:
- Not a second consultant. School, program and college advice is yours; the mentor offers no opinion on lists, essays or placements.
- Not a tutor. If the student needs help with course material, that comes from a teacher or tutor.
- Not a clinician. No diagnosis, treatment or therapy.
- Not an advocate. The mentor does not represent the family in special education meetings or disputes.
If the plan involves accommodations, testing or clinical care, those decisions stay with you, the family and the appropriate professionals.
How to refer a family
- Suggest it. Explain to the family what a mentor does and share our number, (888) 305 5422, or the five-minute assessment.
- The family reaches out. Our team reviews the assessment personally.
- Free intro call. We talk through goals and context. For high school students, a parent or guardian is always on the call and helps agree the goals.
- Matching. The student is matched with one dedicated mentor.
- Coordination. With written permission from the family, or from a student who is 18 or older, the mentor shares progress with you and coordinates.
Our refer a student page walks through the same steps for families.
Working with families anywhere
Many consultants work with families across the country. Mentoring happens by video anywhere in the United States, scheduled in the family’s local time zone, and in person in Los Angeles. Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes on a weekly or monthly plan, and rates are reviewed with the family on the free intro call. See online mentoring nationwide.
Where a mentor helps
The best referrals are students who have a sound plan and need someone in their corner to carry it out week by week. See mentoring for high school students, mentoring for college students and information for independent schools.
Related
- For professionals
- Academic coach vs mentor
- How matching works
- Mentoring for schools
- For education professionals
- Educational consultant vs school counselor
Common questions
Will the mentor give advice on schools or applications?
No. Mentors are not admissions counselors and do not advise on school lists, essays or applications. They help the student follow through on the plan you and the family set.
How will I know how the student is doing?
With written permission from the family, or from a student who is 18 or older, the mentor shares progress with you and coordinates on the plan.
Can you work with my clients outside California?
Yes. Mentoring happens by video anywhere in the United States, and students in Los Angeles can also meet in person.
Who arranges mentoring, the consultant or the family?
The family. They complete the assessment or call us, and the free intro call and plan are arranged with them.
Get started
Have a family who could use a mentor? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.