Monastero a positive model with ‘Focus’ effort

Gabi Monastero, Guest Writer

After nine years of teaching in private schools, Tina Monastero came to Mayfield and wanted to make a difference.  She found this difference in leading Wildcat Focus.

Monastero, a Mayfield graduate, taught eighth grade when she first started at Mayfield. Her help guidance created ease for the eighth graders transitioning into high school. So when former principal, Tony Loewer, heard about transition programs, he immediately knew Monastero was best for the job.

I wanted to be a part of Wildcat Focus because transition programs are beneficial in helping students feel a part of school, learning how to succeed, and lessen the amount of behavior problems, anxiety and worries for all students,” Monastero said

Monastero realized, throughout the years, how hard it was for freshmen on the first day to find their way around the school. So she created a two day orientation where the freshmen would get a copy of their schedule and walk through the school to all their classes with a mentor to help them get to where they need to be.

For eight years, Monastero has led Wildcat Focus into something kids want to join. Senior mentor Alex Przyrowski said, “I like getting to know the freshmen and helping them them adjust to high school. Ms. Monastero has turned [Wildcat] Focus into a fun way to teach the freshmen that’s beneficial to the freshmen and mentors.”

Monastero created a program that was originally meant to teach freshmen but she incorporated ways that not only teaches the freshmen, but also teaches the junior and senior mentors.

Junior mentor Rachel Jennings said, “It helps the freshmen, having upperclassmen that they trust if they have problem. But it also helps [the mentors] because it gives us the opportunity to help teach and make a difference while having fun.”

Monastero strives for kids to learn and grow in Wildcat Focus and hopefully will later become a part of the program to help teach other kids. She said, “The most rewarding thing is seeing freshmen who go through the program become excited about being mentors and teaching kids what they have learned.”