www.sportandmedicalsciences.

org Karin Bertero

280 Huyshope Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 Assistant Principal
(860) 695-6900 Alison Giuliano
Assistant Principal
Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez John P. Laverty Sarah Rubelmann
Acting Superintendent of Schools Principal Magnet Coordinator

May 11, 2017

I became acquainted with Jeffrey Narcisse at the beginning of his junior year when he asked me if
he could become a mentor to one of our middle school students. I was very pleased with his
initiative, and I paired him with a 7th grade boy who was displaying both academic and
behavioral challenges. Jeffrey successfully took on the challenge of assisting this student in
bringing up his grades, as well as, working on being more respectful with his teachers. With
Jeffreys guidance, the student started to develop some confidence and began the process of
becoming more self-aware of his poor decision-making regarding both his academics and
behaviors.

As we entered this school year, Jeffrey approached me again and requested the opportunity to
oversee the middle school mentor program as part of his Capstone project. As part of the
process that he developed, Jeffrey developed a questionnaire that he utilized in pairing other 12 th
grade student mentors with middle school youth. He utilized the questionnaire to interview both
seniors and middle school students, which helped him in identifying each match. With this
process, Jeffrey was able to pair over twenty-five middle school students with a 12 th grade
mentor (and a few 11th grade mentors)the largest and most successful matching we have
encountered since the implementation of the mentor program three years ago.

Over the course of the year, Jeffrey also paired himself with several students whom he mentored
before, during and after school. We discussed the importance of balancing his academic load
and extra-curricular activities, with being committed to working with several mentees and
overseeing the program. Jeffrey was realistic, but maintained high expectations for himself. To
date, he maintained commendable grades while consistently meeting with his students. He met
with many challenges that are common with middle school aged students in terms of poor
decision-making, impulsivity and social demeanor. He often encountered students who were
disrespectful to him and Jeffrey would seek out guidance from me on how to proceed with a
variety of situations. Through it all, however, he persevered and continued to develop positive
rapport with the students. Many students responded favorably to his help and his program by
improving grades and behavior. As a very conscientious individual, Jeffrey would sometimes
voice his disappointment when a mentee demonstrated unacceptable behavior with him or in the
school. He would voice his frustration and feelings of ineffectiveness. Many of my conversations
with Jeffrey focused on that he has been planting the seeds and that often the hard work and
commitment provided to these youth will not be recognized now, but that the work he is doing
matters in the life of these children.

Overall, Jeffrey is a bright, insightful and dedicated individual who goes above and beyond the
call of duty! Jeffrey is consistent and dependable who exhibits a good balance of empathy and
accountability for his menteeswhich is often difficult for adults to demonstrate. His leadership
acumen coupled with his great desire to not only learn, but also contribute to others will pave his

Discipline Respect Dedication Responsibility

 www.sportandmedicalsciences.org Karin Bertero
280 Huyshope Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 Assistant Principal
(860) 695-6900 Alison Giuliano
Assistant Principal
Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez John P. Laverty Sarah Rubelmann
Acting Superintendent of Schools Principal Magnet Coordinator

way to a successful future in college and beyond. It is has been an absolute honor and privilege
to mentor Jeffrey throughout this school year! I have witnessed him grow personally as he
accepted feedback and demonstrated role model behavior to not only his mentees, but his peers
as well. His constructive influence on our students and middle school has been immeasurable
and upon his graduation from high school, we will very much miss his positive presence and
assistance with our students!

Karin Bertero, Middle School Assistant Principal

Discipline Respect Dedication Responsibility