In his first year as CISNT Site Coordinator, Mr. Brandon Gordon serves as a key support at Gainesville Intermediate. As a Site Coordinator, Mr. Gordon helps address student and campus-wide needs while making himself visible and available to the students on campus. He shares that it has been impactful to serve as a role model for students and have the opportunity to be a caring adult for students who would otherwise have no one in their corner.
Mr. Gordon has been working with Xayden, a 5th-grade student who has shown significant progress since being connected with CISNT. Xayden referred himself to CISNT when he’d heard from other students about how they’d been helped or supported by CISNT. After getting to know Xayden, Mr. Gordon realized that he would benefit from being connected with a volunteer mentor who could provide a consistent, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult. Mr. Gordon shares that “Xayden deserves to be seen, to come to school to learn, and to get support for some of the difficulties in his life that aren’t anyone’s fault. I hope he can continue to stay focused on his learning.” Since being connected with a mentor, Xayden has demonstrated a higher level of accountability for his actions and improved behaviors. In addition to regular meetings with his mentor, Xayden meets with Mr. Gordon individually as needed and participates in weekly lunch groups. Lunch groups provide them a space to check in regularly and opportunities for Xayden to continue improving his social skills.
Mr. Gordon has established himself and CISNT as a safe adult and space on campus. CISNT is proud of Xayden’s growth and improvement, and we look forward to how he will continue to achieve in life with CISNT’s support!
