[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by JBotAlan

We recently had a student join our team that did not fit in. I wanted him to be on the team because I thought it would be good for him, but it turned out wrong--members made fun of him because he does not fit the stereotype most of the kids on our team fit into, and he left the team...
So how would you handle it if someone that's not an overachiever joined your team?

From the other students perspective he never fit in. I'm positive from his perspective he never felt comfortable being there. From you admitting that he was made fun of indicates that as such. In this situation the students should have been more open minded. The mentors should have taken certian individuals aside and talked to them about their behavior.

I've never seen a team that had one stereotype. In fact I don't think it's a good idea to have one "clicke." It encourages only students from that one clicke to join. I think your mentors should talk to your students about welcoming everyone. Yourself and a mentor should welcome him back to the team. You should mention when your next meeting is and how you'd love for him to come.

The question about overachievers worries me a little bit. It sounds like you're discriminating against average people. Not a good thing