Eye to Eye Mentoring for Students
Over the last 25 years, the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program has operated at more than 1,000 public, private, and charter schools in over 25 states that serve a diverse population of students.
Our weekly, school-based program is run by and for students who learn differently and is designed to build critical social emotional skills that improve the educational experience and outcomes of students who learn differently, including those with Dyslexia, ADHD, and other disorders that impact learning such as processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and more.
Looking to Bring Eye to Eye Mentoring to Your School?
Our Partnerships Team is here for you! Request a meeting or more information here.
Already Have Eye to Eye's Mentoring Program at your school?
Sign up to be a mentor or mentee today!
How It Works
High School & College-Aged Mentors
We work with College, University, High School or Upper School partners to recruit, train, and support staff advisors and student mentors age 16+ who learn differently to serve as chapter leaders and near-peer mentors.
Middle School & Elementary Aged Mentees
We work with Middle School, Elementary or Lower School partners to recruit, train, and support staff advisors and students in grades 5 through 8 who learn differently to participate as mentees
Weekly School-Based Mentoring Sessions
Mentors & Mentees meet weekly in a small group setting throughout the school year on a day and time that works for both school partners (typically after school) where they complete a structured series of projects and activities.
Improved Educational Experiences & Outcomes
Mentees gain confidence, self-esteem and critical social-emotional and self-advocacy skills, while mentors develop valuable leadership, interpersonal and professional skills.
What's Included
Curriculum & Supplies
School partners receive a one-year license to our evidence-based curriculum, along with printed workbooks and all the necessary supplies and materials to implement the program.
Marketing & Recruitment Materials
School partners also receive both a digital and physical Recruitment Toolkit with everything they need to promote the program to their school community and recruit the necessary staff advisors and student participants.
Training & Implementation Support
- Two student leaders from each chapter are selected to serve as “Chapter Leaders” and receive an all expenses paid trip to our National Neurodiversity Student Summit at the University of Denver in early August to learn everything they need to implement the program.
- Staff advisors and mentors also have access to online trainings and resources to ensure they have the tools and support they need in their roles.
- Throughout the school year, staff advisors and student leaders have access to The Neurodiversity Alliance’s online portal and mobile app with training, resources, and guides along with coaching from their dedicated Program Manager throughout the school year.
Background Screenings & Liability Insurance
The Neurodiversity Alliance maintains comprehensive liability insurance coverage and works with school partners to conduct criminal-history screenings on all student leaders and mentors over the age 18 prior to engaging with mentees.
Access to National Events, Scholarships & Other Leadership Opportunities
Student leaders and mentors gain full access to The Neurodiversity Alliance network of national neurodiversity-related events, and are eligible to apply for exclusive scholarships and other leadership opportunities to grow their personal and professional skills.
What's Required
Partnership Agreement & Annual Membership Fee
All school partners must complete a standard partnership agreement and pay an annual membership fee each year to participate in the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program. The annual membership fee helps to offset the cost of program materials and ongoing training and implementation support. Financial assistance is available for schools who qualify.
Staff Advisor
A dedicated staff advisor is required to serve as the local site liaison and support student recruitment and engagement, typically no more than one to two hours per week throughout the school year. Mentor School Advisors provide direct mentorship and support to the student leaders responsible for implementing the program, while the Mentee School Advisors provide supervision and assistance during the weekly mentoring sessions.
Classroom & Storage Space
School partners must provide access to a dedicated classroom or similar meeting space on campus for the Mentors and Mentees to meet and conduct program-related activities. This includes a classroom on the Mentee School campus where the weekly mentoring sessions are to be held and a dedicated storage space for the curriculum and supplies.
Implementation Timeline & Key Deadlines
The Neurodiversity Alliance program operates in conjunction with the traditional school year calendar. School partners must sign-up and identify a staff advisor by May 1st of each year in order to successfully launch the program for the upcoming school year.
Space is Limited! Guarantee Your Spot by April 15th
All school partners that sign-up before the April 15th priority deadline are guaranteed a space for the upcoming school year, in addition to receiving a 20% discount on the annual membership fee! Connect with our Partnerships Team to learn more here.
April 15
Priority Deadline
to Sign Up
May 1
Final Deadline
to Sign Up
June
Staff Advisor
Training
Early August
Student Leader
Training
Late August
Supply Delivery & Kick-Off Meetings
September
Mentor & Mentee
Recruitment
October
Weekly Mentoring
Session Begin
Where We Operate
Over the last 25 years, the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program has operated at more than 1,000 public, private, and charter schools in over 25 states that serve a diverse population of students.
Examples of current and past school partners include:
We welcome all schools interested in partnering with us, although we prioritize schools serving students furthest from opportunity. Aligned with our mission and values, financial assistance is available for schools that serve predominantly students of color or students from low-income households.
What Partners & Participants Are Saying
The Eye to Eye Mentoring Program completely opened my eyes to how I could work differently with my students and their parents as a special educator. Since I have been involved as an advisor, I have an ease in talking with students and their parents about their learning differences. I am truly grateful to be a part of this community which has supported me to to be a the best special educator I can be.
—Bari Levin, Educator
See Our Program In Action
Eye to Eye Mentoring Featured on CNN
Watch CNN Heroes: Learning Differently to learn more about the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program which pairs high school and college students who learn differently with middle school students facing similar challenges.
Eye to Eye Mentoring Featured on PBS
Watch Eye to Eye on PBS American Graduate Day to learn more about the impact of the Eye to Eye Mentoring Program at Temple University in Philadelphia, directly from mentors and mentees in the program.