The other day I was reminiscing with an old friend about high school, and we started talking about which were our favourite and least favourite teachers. It had been a while, but that conversation reminded me of my old English Lit teacher, Mr. Z. He was an older guy with grown kids of his own who enjoyed reading Chaucer out loud in Old English and sneaking cigarettes behind the portables after school. Mr. Z was one of those teachers who loved teaching and genuinely liked kids, even us snotty teenagers, and he made English literature interesting.
Around then, I was going through a hard time at home and missing a lot of classes. I didn’t tell anybody at the time, but I was seriously considering dropping out of high school. Mr. Z noticed that things weren’t right, and over a few cigarettes after class he convinced me to talk. He made arrangements with the school administration to provide me with bus fare to help me get to school, and he convinced me to keep coming, even if I didn’t make it every day. He was the reason I finished high school, and it was his support that encouraged me to apply for university and scholarships. We lost touch after high school, but I still think about him every once in a while.
Many of us have had mentors like Mr. Z who made a difference in our lives, but not everyone is so lucky. Having reaped the benefit of more than one mentor in my life, I know firsthand how valuable positive role models can be.
This February, Boston Pizza is celebrating their annual Valentine’s Day campaign in support of mentorship for kids, so they extended an invitation to my girls and me to have a conversation about the importance of mentorship over some heart-shaped pizza.
All month long, Boston Pizza will be raising awareness and donations for the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects which works to connect kids in need with positive role models in their communities. $1 from every pizza sold on February 14th this year will go to support the Boston Pizza Foundation’s work.
We visited our local Boston Pizza and ordered one of their signature pizzas for dinner. Of course, both my girls were enchanted with the pizza’s heart shape. It took a little convincing before they were willing to have me serve slices!
While we enjoyed our meal, I started to talk about mentors. The very first thing Kay said was, “No, don’t want a Dementor!” (We are a Harry Potter family, after all!) So then followed an explanation of what a mentor is: not a scary flying monster in a black robe, but someone we learn from and look up to. Once they understood, Tee said, “Oh, I have a mentor! My teacher Ms. Andrea teaches me and helps me be really good! And you too! You’re my mentor too.” They get it!
Tee and Kay both attend Montessori programs. In Montessori schools, kids are grouped into three year classes instead of individual grades like mainstream schools. This means all the 3 to 5-year-olds are in one class, as are the 6 to 8-year-olds, 9 to 11-year-olds, and so on. This unique arrangement creates a built-in mentorship relationship between older and younger students. My kids have learned so much from the older students in their classes who help teach and guide them. Now that they know the term, they’re both excited to become mentors too when they’re the oldest in their class.
We finished our enlightening meal with a decadent dessert: this Future Prospects dessert with red velvet cake, cheesecake mousse, berry sauce, whipped cream, and a white chocolate coin. It’s not just a tasty treat though. $1 from every dessert sold goes to Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects.
Mentors come in many forms: parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, bosses, even Jedi masters! Most of us had a mentor at some point in our lives, but 1 in 3 Canadian kids don’t get enough time with a positive role model, and that’s why we support the Boston Pizza Foundation.
For over 25 years, the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects has been dedicated to connecting kids in need to role models in their own communities so they have the guidance, mentorship, and support necessary to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza provides more than 200,000 hours of mentorship every year, and they’ve provided more than $24 million in donations to date for charity partners like Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, The Rick Hansen Foundation, and Live Different.
How You Can Help
This month you can help kids in 3 different ways!
- Purchase any pizza on February 14th and $1 will go to the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects.
- Order a Future Prospects dessert and $1 will be donated to the Foundation.
- Or give directly by donating $2 for a paper heart. Not only will your heart cut-out help the Foundation and honour your mentor, but you’ll also get $5 off your next meal at Boston Pizza!
Boston Pizza is a fantastic place to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year! Enjoy a dinner out with good food and friendly people, and help connect kids in your community with positive role models who will help them succeed.
Learn more and connect with the Boston Pizza Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Did you have a mentor? What difference did it make in your life?
Win a $50 Boston Pizza Gift Card!
Boston Pizza wants to help one of my readers treat their mentor to a special meal out with a $50 Boston Pizza gift card. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only, 18+. Enter in the giveaway widget below. All the winner’s entries will be verified.
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation. Nevertheless, all opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Yes; I had several mentors: my half-sister, who encouraged me to get an education; several of my friend’s mothers who taught me to knit and iron; teachers, who worked hard to educate me; and my mother whose example of courtesy and kindness I try to follow dailyl
I’ve never really had a mentor, but I’ve been one. When I was almost finished grad school, a student new to the program was really struggling with what we call “imposter syndrome” and with moving to a big city from a small town and being away from everything and everyone she knew. She was overwhelmed with school and ready to quit. Thankfully, I had already “been there, done that” so I was able to help her deal with it, give her advice and just be there for her. She graduated last year and just applied to a PhD program!
I don’t have a personal mentor but I do think they can be very important. My husband has been mentored and been a mentor throughout his career and it’s amazing how much confidence he gained once he discovered that sort of relationship with co-workers.
I never had a mentor , but I have often thought how nice it would have been to have one. I had a rocky adolescence and I believe that had I had one things would have been alot better. I truly believe that it only takes one person to make a huge difference in someone elses life ,so I think mentorship programs are wonderful things that can truly change someones life.
I did not have a mentor, but I think it would be great to have one.
I haven’t really had a mentor before but my current manager is great at motivating and inspiring so I’m hoping that will continue 🙂
my grandma and mom. i never understood it until i got older. i appreciate their guidance, it’s made me stronger and wiser. now i can pass it down to my daughter
I think that mentorship is important because it helps to supports kids who need a little extra help.
No never had a mentor
I didn’t have a mentor in highschool, but I sure could have used one! I was a smart kid who got by without doing much work, which meant I flew under the radar most of the time. I didn’t have a lot of direction as highschool ended, and wasted a two years doing general studies in university before dropping out to take some time to decide what I really wanted to do with my life. I think a mentor would have helped me to focus and make better decisions rather than going to university without a long term plan.
My mother has always been my mentor in life and she’s taught me how to cope when life gets to be so hard
I have never had a mentor, but I would not doubt the beneficial aspect of them
my dad is my mentor. hard working, honest & always helps others. entry pls
Yes!
My yoga teacher training taught me how to use my voice to heal others thereby challenging me to use my voice in an empowered yet calm and cheerleading way??
I think you have to be open to the idea of a mentor and I love the idea it would help me in this difficult time right now
I think mentorship is very important!!! My best friend is my mentor. She is such a strong woman, and I benefit from knowing her. She makes me a better person!
I have been a mentor to many kids, teens over the passed few years. I have helped them with their behaviours with their special needs and redirecting them when they get overwhelmed etc
My mom is my mentor. She taught me how to be strong and independent.
i’ve had a mentor for many years, and she’s helped me get through so much!
I think mentors are important because they can speak from experience when we feel stuck in life.
I think mentorship is important because it gives you 2 different ways of looking at life. One from the mentor and the mentee. They can learn a lot by experiencing life together and boost eachothers self-esteem.
My mom, always makes me strive to be a better person
i have not actually had a personal mentor, i’ve had a great network of family and friends that I can always count on
During one of my first full time jobs I had a mentor. He helped teach me all sorts of aspects about the business, encouraged me, and promoted my abilities with senior executives. It was amazing but sadly it was only for about 3 months since he was promoted a moved to a job in a different region. I benefited since it helped build my self-confidence and abilities.
I never had a mentor but could of used one when in school that helped to notice that I was bored not stupid .
I’ve never had a mentor but I think it would have been very beneficial when I was younger and searching for direction.
My baseball Coach was my mentor his taught us to have respect for other people
I’ve never had a mentor, but I like the idea of having a person you can go to for advice and to run ideas by.
My Grandmother was my mentor, she always helped me get trough tough situations and encouraged me when ever I needed encouragement
My parents are my mentors
My parents are my mentors, having overcome conflict overseas to start a new life with an 8-year-old (me) in tow.
I think mentorship is important to learn from someone who has already been there.
No, I never had a mentor and wish I had. I think they can make an incredible difference in ones success in life.
mm could use a night out
I had a teacher who was an awesome mentor to me. Yes, I absolutely think it’s important
My first boss was a huge mentor to me. She supported and encouraged me and was an important role model. 25 years later I still think about her and try to follow her example.
My mentor helped me gain confidence as a new teacher
I was very lucky to have young adult youth group leaders mentor me when I was in high school. They filled a pretty large gap that my parents left as far as role models.
In high school I belonged to a service club where the teacher who ran helped and was an example to all.
I think of my grandparents as my mentors. They were always around to help me.
I didn’t have a formal mentor, but I benefited by the positive examples set by women who worked in my field. My father also encouraged me to be my best, and not to let gender limit me.
My aunt was my mentor, she taught me my manners, how to cook, to be honest, never take anything that isn’t mine, the basics for a good life.
Mentorship is important because it helps children become more confident.
I’ve had mentors in my life that have helped talk me through my anxieties and pump me up to handle big challenges. Really there are priceless help!
I have never really had one other than my parents. They were always there for me but for those who don’t have the go to person to look up to I think it is important.
I can’t say that I have ever had a formal mentor in my life. I do see the benefits of mentorship in that it provides a foundation for guidance, direction and advice. It would also help to build self-esteem and confidence in yourself.
I had people influence me with advice now and then, but never directly mentor me. So, I’d say I never really had a mentor.
I have mentor and I know how great a help it is to progress in business.
My mentor is my daughter and vice versa as she is there to lend an ear, encouragement and provides support
I think mentorship is important because it benefits both the mentor and the mentee. For the mentor, you want to lead by example, and it allows you to impart some wisdom you’ve acquired.