Young leaders are in the making at T.J. Austin Elementary School, where today an all-new mentorship program kicked off, pairing Tyler High School’s Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadets with students in grades 3-5 to build confidence, discipline, and leadership. Through bi-weekly mentorship sessions, elementary students will gain a structured environment to learn and grow under the guidance of JROTC cadets who act as positive role models.
T. J. Austin Principal Josh Currie shares his excitement about the program’s potential, calling it “an incredible opportunity for our students to build resilience and learn important values.” He adds, “Partnering with Tyler High’s JROTC cadets provides my students not only with role models but also with a sense of purpose and direction that has an immediate and potentially lifelong impact.”
The mentorship sessions offer practical, supportive experiences, with cadets leading engaging activities that help students build skills in self-discipline, teamwork, and leadership.
Retired U.S. Army Sergeant and Senior Army Instructor Corey Cato leads the Tyler High School JROTC program alongside Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Samuel Tinker. Together, they bring a clear vision of developing tomorrow's leaders and see the mentor program as a win-win for everyone involved. “This is a chance for our cadets to lead by example and inspire future leaders of our community,” said Sergeant Cato. The cadets were excited to share what they learned in JROTC with the younger students, recognizing their impact as mentors and role models.
T.J. Austin Counselor Ashley Venters emphasizes that the program offers much more than mentoring, “This program is about empowering our students. They develop confidence and a strong foundation for personal growth that benefits them now and in the future.”
Parents are encouraged to support this unique program as it equips students with key skills they can apply across academic and personal settings.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.