On Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, people of all ages will take time out of their busy schedules to show their appreciation during national “Thank Your Mentor Day.” The day, which occurs during National Mentoring Month, is reserved for giving thanks to all of the good Samaritans who provide guidance, advice, and encouragement to young people.

Many HISD students, both present and former, have been affected by one special person who gave of their time to improve the lives of others. Whether it was a teacher, principal, parent, or volunteer, if you are a current or former student whose life was changed for the better thanks to a mentor, share your story with us.

Leave a comment below, send us a tweet @HoustonISD, or go to our Facebook page and send a special shout-out to the person who helped shape your life. Use the hashtag #ThankYourMentor.

If you are looking to become a mentor to a student in HISD, please learn more about our Read Houston Read program. As a Read Houston Read volunteer, you can spend one hour a week, in person or online, reading and being read to by a beginning reader. If you are interested in other mentoring opportunities, contact the Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS) department at 713-556-7020.