‘A New Perspective’

 J’Nell Mikes thanks Root 2 Rise “for believing in me,” which he said was instrumental in helping him graduate and in determining his career goaols.

As  Tutor-Mentor in the physical education class of Tiffany Williams, at Fairview Elementary School, Mikes said learned patience and leadership.

When the students he helped were  “loud and not listening” he” learned how to pause and even get in on their jokes to get their attention. I learned how to redirect them while also getting their respect,”   he said.

Choosing the daily warm-ups and activities,  and often leadin the class) gave him “a new perspective on teaching. I got to know the children and they got to know me.”  

The ability to “get  out of our building for a while each day made it easier for me to be at school,” he said. 

“The Root 2 ise experience also looks good on my resume,” he said. Mikes is now a caretaker in a retirement facility and plans to attend college next year to become a cardiovascular X-ray technician.