Summit Educational Association

“There is no such thing as a bad kid,”says John Hein,a mentor who has worked five years with Summit and three years with a mentoring program at Waldorf Elementary. He truly believes that any kid can succeed with the right discipline, the right encouragement and the right role models.

John,a Vietnam veteran, Rockwell Automation engineer and Milwaukee native, got involved with Summit when he saw a notice in the bulletin at Old St. Mary’s Church.

“The best part of the mentoring experience is building a bond with the kids. When that connection is made, the kids will share their secrets, fears and hopes,and it is at that point that a mentor’s encouragement can real ly take
hold,” says John. “One of my students brought up his grade in science class from a ‘D’ to an ‘A’! Seeing the pride that children have in themselves when they realize their own ability is one of the greatest rewards of mentoring."

When he retires, John will continue mentoring. He especially wants to help get kids interested in mathematics. In the meantime, he counts his many blessings and eagerly awaits the birth of his second grandson.