September 26, 2025 • 17 mins
What happens when dedicated community members commit to guiding students through their most formative years? The Pathfinders mentoring program creates exactly this transformative connection, pairing adult mentors with students from 7th through 12th grade at Flat Rock Middle School and East Henderson High School.
Maggie Gilliam, director of Pathfinders and retired Henderson County educator, shares the program's innovative approach with the George Real Estate Group's Hometown Heroes series. Unlike traditional mentoring that targets specific populations, Pathfinders serves every student in participating grades unless parents opt out. Even more remarkable is the program's continuity - mentors follow their students from middle school through high school graduation, creating relationships that deepen and evolve over six crucial years.
Now in its second year with 96 mentors (many retired educators themselves), the program has ambitious plans to expand across Henderson County schools. These mentors each guide 5-6 students, meeting every other month to discuss academics, attendance, extracurricular activities, and future aspirations. The mentors don't just provide academic guidance - they help students explore potential careers, college opportunities, military service, or workforce entry based on each student's unique interests and talents.
Pathfinders emerged from a successful Rutherford County model and operates through the Henderson County Education Foundation. The program's impact is already evident as Maggie describes the joy when mentors reconnect with students after summer break, their initial awkwardness replaced by genuine excitement and comfortable rapport. This growing connection exemplifies the program's power to influence the next generation's success.
Want to make a difference in a young person's life? Visit the Henderson County Education Foundation website to learn how you can support Pathfinders through volunteering or donations.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
The George Real Estate Group Radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHKP.com.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845, theGeorge Real Estate Group
presents the Hometown Hero Awardto someone in our community who
goes above and beyond to makeour hometown a better place to
live.
Here's this week's Hometown HeroShow.
It's 845 on Friday mornings, andthat's always our favorite time
(00:47):
to gather with you on the radioand do the uh George Real Estate
Group Hometown Heroes Series.
And this morning, uh as usual,Noah is joining us.
How are you doing, Noah?
SPEAKER_01 (00:58):
Uh, we're so much to be thankful.
Whoop, there we go.
So much to be thankful for onthis Friday morning and grateful
to be here sponsoring theHometown Heroes series.
SPEAKER_00 (01:06):
You do this uh every week, and and we just have uh
such a good time.
We we've met so many wonderfulpeople uh helping us in our
community to be the popularplace we are, and we are kind of
popular around here, you know?
Aaron Ross Powell, Jr.
SPEAKER_01 (01:22):
Well, it's it's contagious.
People have been coming herefrom all over the country and
continue to do that, and theyexperience the community and
they say, I want to be part ofit.
And so people are moving here.
It's more often people heremoving here than than moving out
of here.
Aaron Ross Powell, Jr.
SPEAKER_00 (01:36):
You see that very frequently.
You're on the front row.
I mean, you really are.
SPEAKER_01 (01:40):
Well, in real estate, you have real estate
agents that can refer, and soyou know, we we very rarely are
referring people outside of ofthe area.
It's uh it's always the incomingreferrals.
They have uh friends and familyand clients that are moving into
the area.
So we're getting calls from realestate.
We get calls from real estateagents all over the country
saying, hey, we have clientsthat are wanting to move to
Hendersonville.
Can you help them?
(02:01):
And what about that?
Yeah, it's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (02:03):
So if you're uh thinking about listing your
home, don't don't be uh alarmedby any kind of words or news you
hear.
Uh there's people wanting tomove here and buy your home.
SPEAKER_01 (02:15):
Homes are absolutely still selling in Henderson
County.
That be careful about the news.
I mean, the sky is not falling.
In fact, interest rates havecome down a little bit, which is
uh giving buyers moreaffordability.
Uh the the we're averaging about126 single-family homes a month
selling still in HendersonCounty over the last two years.
I mean, the you know, it's beensteady.
And so it's not like it's becareful.
(02:38):
Again, the the the there's thedoom and gloom out there with
the news, but even with thepause of Helene, uh, we've had
uh just as many homes sell inthe last 12 months as we did the
previous twelve months.
SPEAKER_00 (02:48):
Well, it's been twelve months.
SPEAKER_01 (02:50):
If you can believe it.
SPEAKER_00 (02:50):
It's been twelve months uh today and tomorrow
since uh we went through that uhstorm, and and we've made
incredible leaps and bounds ofuh of recovery, and in that
twelve months, there have beenso many people sit in these
chairs that are heroes.
We really are thankful for thiscommunity.
SPEAKER_01 (03:11):
And those stories are going to continue because I
mean that it is ongoing, uh allthe efforts.
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (03:16):
You say you got a couple of open houses this
weekend?
Yes, we have uh open house thisSunday, two to four at 89
Victoria Park Drive inHendersonville in the park place
subdivision.
It's an incredible home, 2,100plus square feet, three
bedrooms, uh, two and a halfbaths for$430,000.
Great property.
Again, Sunday open house.
Also an open house in EnglishHills off of Canooga, one
(03:40):
Whitehall Lane uh inHendersonville.
It's over 2,400 square feet for$450, and that house is gonna be
open this Saturday uh from oneto three.
So again, a lot of activity, alot of uh opportunities uh to
come out and see some amazinghomes.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Sounds great.
Sounds great.
Thank you, Noah.
Maggie Gillam is our uh realestate hometown hero this week.
And and Maggie, really the thePathfinder's program is the hero
amongst us, I think, don't you?
SPEAKER_02 (04:07):
For sure.
And all of our our volunteerswho are mentors.
Uh we have 96 this year.
So you seriously.
They are the true hometownheroes.
We couldn't do this withoutthem.
SPEAKER_00 (04:17):
Well, let's talk about Pathfinders.
Uh please explain that programto us.
SPEAKER_02 (04:22):
Okay.
Yes, so it's a mentoringprogram.
Right now we we have started atFlat Rock Middle School and East
Henderson High School.
Um, last year we started withseventh and ninth graders, and
so our mentors who serve thosestudents moved up this year with
their students to serve them ineighth and tenth grade, and then
we added a new crop of mentorsthis year who are going to be
(04:44):
paired up with our seventh andninth graders.
So essentially, we are providingadult community mentors for
seventh through twelve tenthgraders at Fly Rock Middle and
East Henderson High School.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
When did this program begin?
SPEAKER_02 (04:57):
Uh so last year was our first year.
First year.
We actually had a um our ribboncutting ceremony the day before
Helene hit.
So uh yeah, so thinking aboutthat year ago, how much has
happened.
But um yeah, so we we've beenlast year was our first year in
the schools, and this is oursecond year of doing this.
SPEAKER_00 (05:16):
And and how many students have you uh been paired
up with?
SPEAKER_02 (05:22):
So this this is a little it's a little unique.
So it's a little different frommost maybe mentoring programs
that people are are aware of.
We serve all of the sevenththrough tenth graders unless
parents opt out.
So it is a full-scale.
It's not yeah, it's not uhserving you know a certain
population of students oranything like that.
(05:42):
It is every student.
Um and so in order for that tohappen, our mentors, it's not a
one-on-one.
So they have a a uh you know, acaseload of students, if you
will.
So they will go to the middleschool and they have five or six
mentees that they meet withthere, and then they go to the
(06:02):
high school and have five or sixor two.
SPEAKER_01 (06:04):
So no one's left out.
I mean, like all the childrenare impacted into the grades.
SPEAKER_02 (06:08):
We are reaching every student there.
Um and the mentors, again, theyfollow their students until they
graduate.
So they really get to developthat trust and the camaraderie
and get to know the students andover time really provide them
the information over you knowthat they will need eventually
as they're making big decisionsabout their future.
SPEAKER_01 (06:28):
That's amazing.
What was the catalyst forlaunching this program?
SPEAKER_02 (06:31):
So the catalyst was really uh Commissioner Rebecca
McCall, you know, she formed a auh focus group who found out
about a mentoring program inRutherford County through the
McNair Foundation.
And they've been doing this fora long time.
I think they started it way backin 1992 and have adapted it over
the years, but they reallywanted to bring that program
(06:55):
here.
Um and just about the time theywere wanting to start it, I
retired from Henderson CountyPublic Schools, and it just
worked out really well with my,you know, kind of skill set and
that kind of thing to go aheadand jump in and be the director.
SPEAKER_01 (07:10):
So and tell us about your career with Henderson
County.
SPEAKER_02 (07:13):
Okay.
Well, I taught most of my careerat Flat Rock Middle School, so
eighth grade, uh, social studiesand some science.
I was an a um secondaryinstructional coach.
I taught at East Henderson for acouple of years.
I ended my career as anassistant principal at East
Henderson High School and thenretired.
And like I said, it just workedout really well, the timing, and
(07:34):
I'm a what's been really neat isI'm able to use all the kind of
the knowledge and the skills Ideveloped over the years.
And these are schools I workedin, so I know the teachers, most
of them, and the administrators,and um I don't know, it's been
really neat a way for me tocontinue also to be continue to
be connected with the studentsand the the community, the
school communities, and and havea positive impact.
SPEAKER_01 (07:56):
So that's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (07:57):
How do you uh Maggie, how do you uh recognize
in a student what what whatneeds to happen and what advice
to give and how to guide?
What how what signs do you seethat shows you the way this
child probably should go?
SPEAKER_02 (08:13):
Well, you know, our mentors we provide them with a
lot of talking points, if youwill.
So there every month they comein, there are specific things to
talk to the students about.
And I always want to reassureevery these are academic
mentors, meaning they're nottutors, but they're talking to
the students about schoolthings.
So it is grades, attendance,extracurricular activities, and
(08:36):
talking to them starting in theseventh grade about what they
might want to do when theygraduate.
So there are kind of some patthings that we want to make sure
we talk to all kids about, butthen it's kind of up to those
mentors as they get to know thestudents to to find out what
does each student need.
That's the value of the programof you you're you're meeting
with the same students everyother month and over the years,
(08:58):
so they really get to kind ofcater those conversations based
on what each student needs.
So you know, by the time theyget to be juniors or seniors,
you know the kids that arereally wanting to, you know, I
want to go to uh college, or doI want to go to the military, or
do I want to go straight intothe workforce, and they're being
able to figure out what eachstudent needs and give them that
information.
SPEAKER_00 (09:18):
Invaluable.
SPEAKER_01 (09:19):
I mean when it's an amazing continuation of care.
It's not just you've got anadvisor for seventh grade and
then you change advice, youknow, mentors.
I mean, it's a that's awonderful program.
And and I'm sure you guys arebenefiting from the experiences
that Rutherford County haddeveloping it over the years.
SPEAKER_02 (09:35):
Oh, they were invaluable.
We it is so well organized, andI don't take credit for that.
They gave us all of theirorganizational structure, their
materials.
We didn't have to start fromscratch, and I was able to take
what they have done and justadapt it.
And it's just it really runslike clockwork.
That's amazing.
SPEAKER_01 (09:54):
What a benefit of coming on their coattails.
Exactly.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:58):
No, I I can imagine as a parent, you uh you are the
parent of uh Well I I'm gonna beasking my own children.
SPEAKER_01 (10:04):
They're they're at uh uh East, and I'll be I'm
curious about I've heard someyou know some things of this,
but I'm I'm gonna be a littlebit more curious about their
involvement in it.
So I'm I'm I'm I'm one I'm soexcited and grateful, grateful
for the program.
SPEAKER_02 (10:20):
We have amazing mentors.
We had well, we started with 54last year.
51 of them were able to continueand wanted to continue.
So I kind of joke and say Ithink our mentors enjoy it more
than the kids do sometimes.
They really enjoy it.
So rewarding.
Yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (10:37):
It would have to be.
Is the vision for all ofHenderson County?
SPEAKER_02 (10:41):
That is the vision.
That is the goal.
We would love to expand toadditional feeder schools.
Um, you know, we're you know ittakes time.
It takes time, and we wanted tomake sure we could sustain it
and do it well.
Um, it is a big endeavor.
Um so you know, again, it's weare you know part of the
education foundation.
SPEAKER_01 (11:01):
Well, let's talk about that.
You guys are supported throughthe this is underwritten through
the education, Henderson CountyEducation Foundation.
SPEAKER_02 (11:08):
Right, and grants and donors, so that is kind of
key, is you know, we've got tomake sure we have the funding
and the mentors, of course.
But I feel confident, talkingabout all the people moving in
to the I mean I have gotten towe have such a great community
to draw mentors from.
SPEAKER_01 (11:25):
Surely.
SPEAKER_02 (11:25):
And I feel like that that's not going to be an issue
as we continue to get the wordout about the program.
But yes, that's the goal is wewant to continue to expand to
all of all of our middle andhigh schools.
SPEAKER_00 (11:36):
Amazing.
You've had uh uh you you see it,I'm sure NOAA uh retired
teachers moving in all the time.
All the time.
Here's their chance.
SPEAKER_01 (11:44):
Well, and I even know some of the I mean, over
the years, I know some of theeven some of the leadership in
Henderson County were teachersthat had retired, they moved
here and then they they couldn'tstay out of it, and so they're
they're back into it.
SPEAKER_02 (11:56):
We have quite a few retired teachers from Henderson
County or from other areas.
It's a great way to continue tobe connected to students in a
way that is totally a differentrelationship than as a teacher.
So but it's still very, verypositive.
SPEAKER_01 (12:11):
Any recent success story maybe to put you on the
spot that might capture thehearts of our of the of the
program?
SPEAKER_02 (12:18):
I mean, I I have so many little anecdotes um that
are just really heartwarming,but I think just in general, you
know, this was our second year,and so we we we just finished
our fur our first round of thisyear at East Henderson, but it
was my first year of seeing themreturn.
So our tenth graders came back,the men te mentors came back,
(12:39):
and just to see the excitementthat both the mentors and the
kids had to reconnect toreconnect.
Oh, yeah.
What find out what they weredoing over the summer, how are
you?
And it was it was a differentfeeling than that first
meetings, which are a littleawkward at first, yeah, but they
they just were at ease, they hadsmiles on their faces.
Just it was just a really neatthing to see and to imagine over
(13:03):
time by the time these kids arejuniors and seniors, how those
relationships will just bereally easy and so powerful and
powerful, right.
SPEAKER_01 (13:10):
Was there in your life a a teacher that impacted
your life that made you want togo into the teaching career?
SPEAKER_02 (13:15):
Oh gosh, so many.
But my grandmother was a teacherand she was always the one who,
you know, I kind of say, I wantto do what she does.
And I knew from very young thatI wanted to be a teacher.
SPEAKER_01 (13:26):
But I think all all children have that.
You can point back on maybewhatever career you ended up in,
there was somebody thatinfluenced you.
SPEAKER_02 (13:33):
Absolutely, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (13:34):
I can tell by your conversation, Maggie, is the
passion you had for uh and havefor teaching.
Uh and uh I know that it it isthe goal to help these students
find that passion.
Because if you find thatpassion, uh you're gonna be
happy in a career for fiftysixty years of doing your job
(13:59):
and uh quotation job.
I I've had a job in radio forfifty plus years, and I've never
worked a day in my life becauseI was lucky and very blessed to
have found that passion uh atabout the age of the student
that y'all are dealing with now.
So uh that's important work thatPathfinders is doing, and and we
(14:22):
sure thank you so much for allof the volunteer hours and and
uh and all of the passion thatthat y'all convey to those
students.
It's very important and it'svery honorable, and we want to
thank you.
SPEAKER_02 (14:35):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me, andagain, thanks to all of our
mentors.
SPEAKER_01 (14:38):
I I know we just have a just really quick, but
what's the best way for peopleto to get involved or to
volunteer or to even donate?
I mean, what's the best way toget connected?
SPEAKER_02 (14:47):
Yes, thank you.
So anyone who's interested inany of that, um, we are full of
our volunteers for this yearbecause we do have to get those
onboarded and all of that priorto the school year.
But for next school year, go onthe Henderson County Education
Foundation website.
The Pathfinders program has apage on the website.
There is a donate button.
There is also a place there tofill out a Google form if
(15:08):
they're interested in being amentor, or my email address is
there.
I just need you to email me,give me your contact
information, and I can get intouch with you.
We are definitely looking formore as we move forward.
SPEAKER_00 (15:19):
Man, that's fantastic.
Noah, we got about uh 15 secondsto remind us where you are.
SPEAKER_01 (15:23):
Again, thankful to sponsor the Hometown Hero
Series, the George Real EstateGroup.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com or call us
directly at 828-3930134, and besure to subscribe to the
podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (15:34):
Join us next Friday for another Hometown Heroes
series.
SPEAKER_01 (15:40):
Maybe the house feels a little too big these
days.
The stairs a little steeper, thepace of life a little too fast.
But what if your next movewasn't about letting go?
It was about making space forpeace, for freedom, for what
matters most.
At the George Real Estate Group,we understand that real estate
(16:02):
isn't just about the house.
It's about transitions, timing,and trust.
We've helped thousands offamilies in Western North
Carolina make smart, thoughtfulmoves closer to nature, closer
to family, closer to home.
So when you're ready toright-size, simplify, or start
fresh, we'll be here.
(16:24):
The George Real Estate Group.
Local, trusted, proven.
Call us today, 828-3930134.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com because
your next chapter deserves tofeel just right.
SPEAKER_00 (16:39):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, North Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygreg.com.
The George Real Estate Group canbe reached at 828-3930134 or
stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, Flat Rock,
(17:00):
North Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 1005 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 A.M.
or stream online at WHKP.com ordownload these podcasts wherever
you get your podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
(17:24):
Hero Series every Friday morningat 8 45.
The George Real Estate Group Radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHKP.com.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845, theGeorge Real Estate Group
presents the Hometown Hero Awardto someone in our community who
goes above and beyond to makeour hometown a better place to
live.
Here's this week's Hometown HeroShow.
It's 845 on Friday mornings, andthat's always our favorite time
(00:47):
to gather with you on the radioand do the uh George Real Estate
Group Hometown Heroes Series.
And this morning, uh as usual,Noah is joining us.
How are you doing, Noah?
SPEAKER_01 (00:58):
Uh, we're so much to be thankful.
Whoop, there we go.
So much to be thankful for onthis Friday morning and grateful
to be here sponsoring theHometown Heroes series.
SPEAKER_00 (01:06):
You do this uh every week, and and we just have uh
such a good time.
We we've met so many wonderfulpeople uh helping us in our
community to be the popularplace we are, and we are kind of
popular around here, you know?
Aaron Ross Powell, Jr.
SPEAKER_01 (01:22):
Well, it's it's contagious.
People have been coming herefrom all over the country and
continue to do that, and theyexperience the community and
they say, I want to be part ofit.
And so people are moving here.
It's more often people heremoving here than than moving out
of here.
Aaron Ross Powell, Jr.
SPEAKER_00 (01:36):
You see that very frequently.
You're on the front row.
I mean, you really are.
SPEAKER_01 (01:40):
Well, in real estate, you have real estate
agents that can refer, and soyou know, we we very rarely are
referring people outside of ofthe area.
It's uh it's always the incomingreferrals.
They have uh friends and familyand clients that are moving into
the area.
So we're getting calls from realestate.
We get calls from real estateagents all over the country
saying, hey, we have clientsthat are wanting to move to
Hendersonville.
Can you help them?
(02:01):
And what about that?
Yeah, it's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (02:03):
So if you're uh thinking about listing your
home, don't don't be uh alarmedby any kind of words or news you
hear.
Uh there's people wanting tomove here and buy your home.
SPEAKER_01 (02:15):
Homes are absolutely still selling in Henderson
County.
That be careful about the news.
I mean, the sky is not falling.
In fact, interest rates havecome down a little bit, which is
uh giving buyers moreaffordability.
Uh the the we're averaging about126 single-family homes a month
selling still in HendersonCounty over the last two years.
I mean, the you know, it's beensteady.
And so it's not like it's becareful.
(02:38):
Again, the the the there's thedoom and gloom out there with
the news, but even with thepause of Helene, uh, we've had
uh just as many homes sell inthe last 12 months as we did the
previous twelve months.
SPEAKER_00 (02:48):
Well, it's been twelve months.
SPEAKER_01 (02:50):
If you can believe it.
SPEAKER_00 (02:50):
It's been twelve months uh today and tomorrow
since uh we went through that uhstorm, and and we've made
incredible leaps and bounds ofuh of recovery, and in that
twelve months, there have beenso many people sit in these
chairs that are heroes.
We really are thankful for thiscommunity.
SPEAKER_01 (03:11):
And those stories are going to continue because I
mean that it is ongoing, uh allthe efforts.
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (03:16):
You say you got a couple of open houses this
weekend?
Yes, we have uh open house thisSunday, two to four at 89
Victoria Park Drive inHendersonville in the park place
subdivision.
It's an incredible home, 2,100plus square feet, three
bedrooms, uh, two and a halfbaths for$430,000.
Great property.
Again, Sunday open house.
Also an open house in EnglishHills off of Canooga, one
(03:40):
Whitehall Lane uh inHendersonville.
It's over 2,400 square feet for$450, and that house is gonna be
open this Saturday uh from oneto three.
So again, a lot of activity, alot of uh opportunities uh to
come out and see some amazinghomes.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Sounds great.
Sounds great.
Thank you, Noah.
Maggie Gillam is our uh realestate hometown hero this week.
And and Maggie, really the thePathfinder's program is the hero
amongst us, I think, don't you?
SPEAKER_02 (04:07):
For sure.
And all of our our volunteerswho are mentors.
Uh we have 96 this year.
So you seriously.
They are the true hometownheroes.
We couldn't do this withoutthem.
SPEAKER_00 (04:17):
Well, let's talk about Pathfinders.
Uh please explain that programto us.
SPEAKER_02 (04:22):
Okay.
Yes, so it's a mentoringprogram.
Right now we we have started atFlat Rock Middle School and East
Henderson High School.
Um, last year we started withseventh and ninth graders, and
so our mentors who serve thosestudents moved up this year with
their students to serve them ineighth and tenth grade, and then
we added a new crop of mentorsthis year who are going to be
(04:44):
paired up with our seventh andninth graders.
So essentially, we are providingadult community mentors for
seventh through twelve tenthgraders at Fly Rock Middle and
East Henderson High School.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
When did this program begin?
SPEAKER_02 (04:57):
Uh so last year was our first year.
First year.
We actually had a um our ribboncutting ceremony the day before
Helene hit.
So uh yeah, so thinking aboutthat year ago, how much has
happened.
But um yeah, so we we've beenlast year was our first year in
the schools, and this is oursecond year of doing this.
SPEAKER_00 (05:16):
And and how many students have you uh been paired
up with?
SPEAKER_02 (05:22):
So this this is a little it's a little unique.
So it's a little different frommost maybe mentoring programs
that people are are aware of.
We serve all of the sevenththrough tenth graders unless
parents opt out.
So it is a full-scale.
It's not yeah, it's not uhserving you know a certain
population of students oranything like that.
(05:42):
It is every student.
Um and so in order for that tohappen, our mentors, it's not a
one-on-one.
So they have a a uh you know, acaseload of students, if you
will.
So they will go to the middleschool and they have five or six
mentees that they meet withthere, and then they go to the
(06:02):
high school and have five or sixor two.
SPEAKER_01 (06:04):
So no one's left out.
I mean, like all the childrenare impacted into the grades.
SPEAKER_02 (06:08):
We are reaching every student there.
Um and the mentors, again, theyfollow their students until they
graduate.
So they really get to developthat trust and the camaraderie
and get to know the students andover time really provide them
the information over you knowthat they will need eventually
as they're making big decisionsabout their future.
SPEAKER_01 (06:28):
That's amazing.
What was the catalyst forlaunching this program?
SPEAKER_02 (06:31):
So the catalyst was really uh Commissioner Rebecca
McCall, you know, she formed a auh focus group who found out
about a mentoring program inRutherford County through the
McNair Foundation.
And they've been doing this fora long time.
I think they started it way backin 1992 and have adapted it over
the years, but they reallywanted to bring that program
(06:55):
here.
Um and just about the time theywere wanting to start it, I
retired from Henderson CountyPublic Schools, and it just
worked out really well with my,you know, kind of skill set and
that kind of thing to go aheadand jump in and be the director.
SPEAKER_01 (07:10):
So and tell us about your career with Henderson
County.
SPEAKER_02 (07:13):
Okay.
Well, I taught most of my careerat Flat Rock Middle School, so
eighth grade, uh, social studiesand some science.
I was an a um secondaryinstructional coach.
I taught at East Henderson for acouple of years.
I ended my career as anassistant principal at East
Henderson High School and thenretired.
And like I said, it just workedout really well, the timing, and
(07:34):
I'm a what's been really neat isI'm able to use all the kind of
the knowledge and the skills Ideveloped over the years.
And these are schools I workedin, so I know the teachers, most
of them, and the administrators,and um I don't know, it's been
really neat a way for me tocontinue also to be continue to
be connected with the studentsand the the community, the
school communities, and and havea positive impact.
SPEAKER_01 (07:56):
So that's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (07:57):
How do you uh Maggie, how do you uh recognize
in a student what what whatneeds to happen and what advice
to give and how to guide?
What how what signs do you seethat shows you the way this
child probably should go?
SPEAKER_02 (08:13):
Well, you know, our mentors we provide them with a
lot of talking points, if youwill.
So there every month they comein, there are specific things to
talk to the students about.
And I always want to reassureevery these are academic
mentors, meaning they're nottutors, but they're talking to
the students about schoolthings.
So it is grades, attendance,extracurricular activities, and
(08:36):
talking to them starting in theseventh grade about what they
might want to do when theygraduate.
So there are kind of some patthings that we want to make sure
we talk to all kids about, butthen it's kind of up to those
mentors as they get to know thestudents to to find out what
does each student need.
That's the value of the programof you you're you're meeting
with the same students everyother month and over the years,
(08:58):
so they really get to kind ofcater those conversations based
on what each student needs.
So you know, by the time theyget to be juniors or seniors,
you know the kids that arereally wanting to, you know, I
want to go to uh college, or doI want to go to the military, or
do I want to go straight intothe workforce, and they're being
able to figure out what eachstudent needs and give them that
information.
SPEAKER_00 (09:18):
Invaluable.
SPEAKER_01 (09:19):
I mean when it's an amazing continuation of care.
It's not just you've got anadvisor for seventh grade and
then you change advice, youknow, mentors.
I mean, it's a that's awonderful program.
And and I'm sure you guys arebenefiting from the experiences
that Rutherford County haddeveloping it over the years.
SPEAKER_02 (09:35):
Oh, they were invaluable.
We it is so well organized, andI don't take credit for that.
They gave us all of theirorganizational structure, their
materials.
We didn't have to start fromscratch, and I was able to take
what they have done and justadapt it.
And it's just it really runslike clockwork.
That's amazing.
SPEAKER_01 (09:54):
What a benefit of coming on their coattails.
Exactly.
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:58):
No, I I can imagine as a parent, you uh you are the
parent of uh Well I I'm gonna beasking my own children.
SPEAKER_01 (10:04):
They're they're at uh uh East, and I'll be I'm
curious about I've heard someyou know some things of this,
but I'm I'm gonna be a littlebit more curious about their
involvement in it.
So I'm I'm I'm I'm one I'm soexcited and grateful, grateful
for the program.
SPEAKER_02 (10:20):
We have amazing mentors.
We had well, we started with 54last year.
51 of them were able to continueand wanted to continue.
So I kind of joke and say Ithink our mentors enjoy it more
than the kids do sometimes.
They really enjoy it.
So rewarding.
Yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_01 (10:37):
It would have to be.
Is the vision for all ofHenderson County?
SPEAKER_02 (10:41):
That is the vision.
That is the goal.
We would love to expand toadditional feeder schools.
Um, you know, we're you know ittakes time.
It takes time, and we wanted tomake sure we could sustain it
and do it well.
Um, it is a big endeavor.
Um so you know, again, it's weare you know part of the
education foundation.
SPEAKER_01 (11:01):
Well, let's talk about that.
You guys are supported throughthe this is underwritten through
the education, Henderson CountyEducation Foundation.
SPEAKER_02 (11:08):
Right, and grants and donors, so that is kind of
key, is you know, we've got tomake sure we have the funding
and the mentors, of course.
But I feel confident, talkingabout all the people moving in
to the I mean I have gotten towe have such a great community
to draw mentors from.
SPEAKER_01 (11:25):
Surely.
SPEAKER_02 (11:25):
And I feel like that that's not going to be an issue
as we continue to get the wordout about the program.
But yes, that's the goal is wewant to continue to expand to
all of all of our middle andhigh schools.
SPEAKER_00 (11:36):
Amazing.
You've had uh uh you you see it,I'm sure NOAA uh retired
teachers moving in all the time.
All the time.
Here's their chance.
SPEAKER_01 (11:44):
Well, and I even know some of the I mean, over
the years, I know some of theeven some of the leadership in
Henderson County were teachersthat had retired, they moved
here and then they they couldn'tstay out of it, and so they're
they're back into it.
SPEAKER_02 (11:56):
We have quite a few retired teachers from Henderson
County or from other areas.
It's a great way to continue tobe connected to students in a
way that is totally a differentrelationship than as a teacher.
So but it's still very, verypositive.
SPEAKER_01 (12:11):
Any recent success story maybe to put you on the
spot that might capture thehearts of our of the of the
program?
SPEAKER_02 (12:18):
I mean, I I have so many little anecdotes um that
are just really heartwarming,but I think just in general, you
know, this was our second year,and so we we we just finished
our fur our first round of thisyear at East Henderson, but it
was my first year of seeing themreturn.
So our tenth graders came back,the men te mentors came back,
(12:39):
and just to see the excitementthat both the mentors and the
kids had to reconnect toreconnect.
Oh, yeah.
What find out what they weredoing over the summer, how are
you?
And it was it was a differentfeeling than that first
meetings, which are a littleawkward at first, yeah, but they
they just were at ease, they hadsmiles on their faces.
Just it was just a really neatthing to see and to imagine over
(13:03):
time by the time these kids arejuniors and seniors, how those
relationships will just bereally easy and so powerful and
powerful, right.
SPEAKER_01 (13:10):
Was there in your life a a teacher that impacted
your life that made you want togo into the teaching career?
SPEAKER_02 (13:15):
Oh gosh, so many.
But my grandmother was a teacherand she was always the one who,
you know, I kind of say, I wantto do what she does.
And I knew from very young thatI wanted to be a teacher.
SPEAKER_01 (13:26):
But I think all all children have that.
You can point back on maybewhatever career you ended up in,
there was somebody thatinfluenced you.
SPEAKER_02 (13:33):
Absolutely, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (13:34):
I can tell by your conversation, Maggie, is the
passion you had for uh and havefor teaching.
Uh and uh I know that it it isthe goal to help these students
find that passion.
Because if you find thatpassion, uh you're gonna be
happy in a career for fiftysixty years of doing your job
(13:59):
and uh quotation job.
I I've had a job in radio forfifty plus years, and I've never
worked a day in my life becauseI was lucky and very blessed to
have found that passion uh atabout the age of the student
that y'all are dealing with now.
So uh that's important work thatPathfinders is doing, and and we
(14:22):
sure thank you so much for allof the volunteer hours and and
uh and all of the passion thatthat y'all convey to those
students.
It's very important and it'svery honorable, and we want to
thank you.
SPEAKER_02 (14:35):
Thank you.
Thank you for having me, andagain, thanks to all of our
mentors.
SPEAKER_01 (14:38):
I I know we just have a just really quick, but
what's the best way for peopleto to get involved or to
volunteer or to even donate?
I mean, what's the best way toget connected?
SPEAKER_02 (14:47):
Yes, thank you.
So anyone who's interested inany of that, um, we are full of
our volunteers for this yearbecause we do have to get those
onboarded and all of that priorto the school year.
But for next school year, go onthe Henderson County Education
Foundation website.
The Pathfinders program has apage on the website.
There is a donate button.
There is also a place there tofill out a Google form if
(15:08):
they're interested in being amentor, or my email address is
there.
I just need you to email me,give me your contact
information, and I can get intouch with you.
We are definitely looking formore as we move forward.
SPEAKER_00 (15:19):
Man, that's fantastic.
Noah, we got about uh 15 secondsto remind us where you are.
SPEAKER_01 (15:23):
Again, thankful to sponsor the Hometown Hero
Series, the George Real EstateGroup.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com or call us
directly at 828-3930134, and besure to subscribe to the
podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (15:34):
Join us next Friday for another Hometown Heroes
series.
SPEAKER_01 (15:40):
Maybe the house feels a little too big these
days.
The stairs a little steeper, thepace of life a little too fast.
But what if your next movewasn't about letting go?
It was about making space forpeace, for freedom, for what
matters most.
At the George Real Estate Group,we understand that real estate
(16:02):
isn't just about the house.
It's about transitions, timing,and trust.
We've helped thousands offamilies in Western North
Carolina make smart, thoughtfulmoves closer to nature, closer
to family, closer to home.
So when you're ready toright-size, simplify, or start
fresh, we'll be here.
(16:24):
The George Real Estate Group.
Local, trusted, proven.
Call us today, 828-3930134.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com because
your next chapter deserves tofeel just right.
SPEAKER_00 (16:39):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, North Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygreg.com.
The George Real Estate Group canbe reached at 828-3930134 or
stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, Flat Rock,
(17:00):
North Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 1005 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 A.M.
or stream online at WHKP.com ordownload these podcasts wherever
you get your podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
(17:24):
Hero Series every Friday morningat 8 45.
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