“I love it! We have the greatest group, they’re so very helpful. We have two seniors who are official peer mentors and then we have several freshmen, sophomores, juniors that are not official peer mentors but are in here all the time helping and always around.”

This is what low-incidence teacher Molly Pool had to say about the students who visit her class to assist throughout the day through lessons, assignments, or other activities for her students. 

Maritza Hill, Kadance Blessitt, and Elli Smith are three young women who have deserved the most recognition through their hard work and dedication to Pool’s students. Her classroom is targeted towards students with disabilities and assists in supporting each of their individual learning processes. 

Hill, a senior, began during her sophomore year. 

“I have grown up around these kids and being able to get to know them is an amazing experience,” Hill explained. “I wanted to peer mentor because I enjoy spending as much time with them as I can. They are incredibly smart and hilarious.” 

Hill’s experiences began from simply sitting with them through lunch and music therapy to now working with them through lessons and activities, entertaining them on their “Fun Fridays,” and chaperoning on field trips. 

“It has impacted my life in the best ways,” Hill said. “I now have best friends who enjoy being around me and always know how to brighten up a room. I have also gained lots of knowledgeable information about different disabilities and learned about each student individually. Being with them practically every day of the week has made me have a more positive mindset.” 

Hill is an official peer mentor for her senior year. After an entire morning off-campus, she spends her time in Pool’s classroom during her 4th block period. 

“They have made me a better person because they are all kind to one another no matter what,” Hill concluded. 

When asked about the qualities admired about Hill, Pool explained, “She’s a true friend to these [students], she’s really helpful, she’s always quick in P.E. to engage them and play games. She’s great!” 

Blessitt, a senior, started helping out in the classroom during her sophomore year. Her interest began from wanting to follow in the footsteps of her mother who was in the medical field as a nurse. Blessitt dreams of also getting involved in the medical field and working with those who have special needs. 

“I love it! It’s a great environment, all kinds of enjoyment for sure,” Blessitt said. “[I enjoy] getting to help them with the things they need to do and the way they interact with me … that kind of stuff.”

Blessitt spends her time in the classroom doing all kinds of activities with the students. 

“I help them with their homework or classwork, hang out with them, talk with them, play games, anything they want to do honestly!”

Blessitt is also an official peer mentor for her senior year. She helps in the classroom during her 3rd block period. 

“It’s life-changing and will open up your perspective,” Blessitt said. 

“Kadance is wonderful,” Pool said. “She’s always asking me if she can help make copies, she jumps in if I’m doing a lesson and sees somebody that needs help. She just kind of knows and goes when they need help.”

Elli Smith, a junior, has a different origin to her interest in Pool’s classroom.

“I have a special needs step-sister and she went to [East Hardin Middle School] and Kellee (previous low-incidence teacher at Central Hardin) used to teach at East,” Smith said. “I got involved because I’d go visit my step-sister and I started hanging out with the other kids. So one thing led to another and now I just go and work in her room now.”

Smith had been visiting low-incidence classes since her 6th-grade year for her step-sister. When she got into high school, she started again in her sophomore year and has continued to this date. 

“I enjoy the kids and I enjoy talking to them,” Smith said. “If they’re doing work I’ll help them with their work, … make projects for them to be included in, bring them around and make sure they’re safe when they’re walking around the school.” 

Since Smith is a junior, peer mentoring isn’t implemented in her schedule officially. But she always finds time to fit the class into her day. 

“Anytime I’m really done with my work I leave class and go down there.” 

Smith explained that peer mentoring has impacted the way she views other people who could or could not have special needs. 

“Honestly it makes you more observational of other people … because you see it in a different light.” 

“She has made super great friends with some of the kids in the room that don’t have a lot of Gen-Ed peers,” Pool said. “She is always willing to take them to run errands and help them work on their school goals and communication.” 

Pool praises the peer mentoring program and the impact it makes on her students.

“It gives them a chance to socialize with other peers that don’t have disabilities, gives them a chance to make friendships. A lot of times, they aren’t out of this room other than lunch and like assemblies so it gives them a chance to just hang out with other friends that they normally wouldn’t get to.” 

If you are interested in peer mentoring as an underclassman, you can come by Pool’s room (131) during PowerHour and get to know more details about working in the classroom. Juniors can complete a form near the end of the year if they’re interested in having peer mentoring included in their senior schedule. 

Pool and her peer mentors all highly encouraged getting involved with the small community. From wholesome personal impacts to treasured memories, being a part of Pool’s classroom has given these students amazing experiences.