PROFILES IN MENTORING

Coleman Engellenner

Occupation: Director of Adverising
Years with YSF: 6 and counting
Most recent school: El Rincon Elementary
Favorite Movie: Way too many to pick a favorite, but I really, really liked UP.
Favorite Book (or book recommendation): To Kill a Mockingbird
Name of your favorite teacher growing up: Mr. Nosler, 6th Grade
Why do you mentor?: Aside from feeling good about making a difference in a child’s life, it reminds me again what it’s like to think like a child, with no limitations, conventions, or hang-ups to get in the way. It’s truly liberating. I do a lot of my best work immediately following the sessions.
What was the last script you mentored? What was it about?: “Ally & The Magical Kingdom in the Sky”, about a young girl who is whisked away to a magical castle far away because of her refusal to try and get along with her mother. If only that happened to me in high school!
Is there a moment that stands out to you in your experience as a mentor?: There are too many to list here, but the most memorable was having a student literally faint and fall into my arms (and luckily not to the ground) when one of the actors arrived early to her Big Show, and walked up to her to shake her hand. The best part is I had no clue who the actor was because I don’t watch the Disney Channel (it was Ricky Ullman from "Phil of the Future"). But she knew very well who he was, and I’m sure it was a moment that she’ll remember for the rest of her life.
What would you tell others about YSF?:? I tell people all the time that it’s a great program that’s just as valuable to the mentors as it is for the students. There are so many overused, “make a difference” adjectives one can use, but nothing beats seeing it in person in a session or at a Big Show. I have yet to see one person who isn’t blown away by one or the other.
How does YSF affect you, and how do you think it affects other mentors?: It’s often the best part of my busy week, so the effect on me is dramatic. But the best is when we bring new mentors in and they come up to you after the 2nd or 3rd session with a beaming smile on their face and say “Wow, I had no idea how great this is!”
Mentoring advice or trick of the trade: The number one rule to follow, and often the hardest one to follow is “everything will end up fine." There’s really something to that. I’m not sure if it’s the magic of the program or what, but we’ve had situations that looked impossible to overcome – students who arrived at the Big Show without a script – that turned out better than anyone could imagine! So if I could offer any advice, it’s to trust that everything will work out in the end. If you’re confident in that, the students will see it, and feed off of it.

PROFILES IN MENTORING

Coleman Engellenner

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