Piedmont Affinity Mentorship
Building connection and conversation, because everyone belongs.
Our Mission
The Piedmont Affinity Mentorship Program builds connection and conversation and upholds and celebrates diverse identities all across our student body.
We center the shared experiences of students with underrepresented cultural, ethnic, religious, neurodiverse, and gender-expansive identities by creating connections between them and high school Affinity Mentors, who also share these backgrounds. We mentor elementary and middle school students with these identities.
OUR 51 MENTORS ARE:
positive role models who engage their mentees in age-appropriate, reflective, and fun lessons about shared identities;
enrolled in a cohort-style high school course together to develop their understanding and practice of dialogue, identity development, and cultural responsiveness;
sources of support and community builders through whom children really get to know each other and their mentors.
We hope to normalize differences without shame, fear or rejection—because we believe every child deserves to feel safe and a sense of belonging.
Why Parents Love Affinity Mentorship
"The Mentorship Program brings tremendous value to the Piedmont community. When I was a young student at Piedmont, I experienced several challenges regarding my race and ethnicity. Now as a parent of three young persons of color, I feel it is imperative for our schools to create an environment of inclusivity."
"The Mentorship Program provides a safe space for our young community to grow and understand the value they bring to themselves and others. I am grateful to this program for providing my kids with a voice and a sense of belonging in our community."
- Sidra Sheikh (mom of 3)
"For us, the mentorship program is an opportunity for our son to connect with other biracial Latino students where they can openly share their views, experiences and beliefs with peers. This program helps him realize that there are others like him who are growing up in a biracial home, living between two cultures and that it is a beautiful thing. Often we feel that what makes us different can limit us or separate us. This program allows him to see that it’s these differences and his ability to share them with others that makes him unique and special. We are very grateful for Jean and her mentors for helping create this community."
- Raquel Navarro (mom of 2)
"I love everything about the Affinity Mentorship Program! It's a creative way to build connections between older and younger students. The younger kids have someone to look up to amd relate to - someone who comes from a similar background."
"The older students have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and share their experiences. PADC was thrilled to support the program in its infancy and it's wonderful to see how much it's grown and its impact on our community."
- Ellen Lee (mom of 3)
Program Director - Jean Takazawa
About Me: I am a first generation Taiwanese American and I immigrated to America when I was 5 years old with my family. As one of the few Asians in my schools growing up, I did not always feel like I belonged. I never saw anyone in positions of authority that looked like me, whether it was a teacher, principal or a college professor.
My goal is to ensure that our students see representation of their diverse identities, are included in school culture and know they are valued and belong here.
Some fun facts:
I love teaching and nurturing future leaders
My favorite thing in the world is learning something new about people
I feel happiest when I am surrounded by tall Redwood trees