Students need that person who is always there for them. They loved having the Elevators come and spread love and show that they are cared for. The students that were selected are so excited to see their Elevators and love spending time with them. I am so grateful for this program!
Deanna Myers, School Counselor
It is nice to know that the community cares, and feels invested in the children who will soon be productive adults in our/their communities as well. It truly takes a village and sadly, most of these kids do not have the immediate family foundation that many take for granted. It really does take a village/community to help these kids. One person believing in a child, giving them positive feedback and forming a relationship, can literally change their life. I am thankful for everyone in this program. We need more of this.
One on one time with kids means the world to them. We, as a school, are aware of their needs every morning as the kids get off the bus. They come and they know that they are safe and loved. The school needs will be met by the school staff, but to have an adult come just for them is better than any birthday/Christmas gift a child at KCE could get. The Elevators are very beneficial for our students.
Jessica Pinkerton, School Counselor
The program is working wonderfully here at Central, and our students who participate look forward to the visits they have with their mentors each week. I am so thankful for their hard work and dedication to ourstudents and would highly recommend the Education Elevator program to any school who is interested.
Whitney Canada, Principal
The single most important thing I got out of this program is seeing the Elevators make a difference in the student’s lives. Our students without Elevators keep asking me for one and the students that have Elevators can’t wait to see them!
Caitlin Lastoria, Social Worker/Assistant Attendance Director
Elevators have helped impact Mary C. Snow Elementary by giving our students consistency and positive role models. They have improved our students’ attendance and behavior. Elevators have provided our at risk students a reason to want to come to school...so they can see their Elevator! They’ve helped our students form important connections with adults and have helped our students have another adult in their life to show that they care and make them feel special!
Destiny Spencer, Principal
Education Elevators is an amazing program! Students light up when I tell them that their Elevator is here. Student attendance, school performance and confidence have all improved! Students smile more and are more comfortable when talking to adults (this is even with students who really struggled previously with trusting people). One student who used to not make eye contact now stops me in the hall to talk! Students also engage more with their peers and are happier in general. Another student, who last year would just look down at her desk and wasn’t affectionate at all, is now seen skipping down the hallways always saying “Hi Ms. Natalie!” She has given me three hugs! I wish I had more Elevators to match with students! It’s really incredible to see the impact they have on our students! I LOVE this program!
Natalie Blevins, Family Support Worker/After School Director
I love having Elevators in my school! There are so many kids who need someone to care. It’s awesome when you see at least a few getting that basic need met. I wish we had started this program years ago, and appreciate all of the adults who give up time from their work day in order to help a child. This has been an amazing experience.
Julie Sayre, Principal
Aaron’s Elevator, Victor, is amazing! Aaron bounces down the hallway whenever he is with Victor. Aaron doesn't smile for photos ever except for the one I took of him with Victor. It has almost brought me to tears seeing his excitement. Aaron comes from a very challenging home life and Victor has been such a consistent, stable relationship for him.
Amanda Bartoli
Ayden needs a strong male role model in his life who is successful. He needs someone who he can trust and confide in. He looks forward to his visits with his Elevator. I notice an improved attitude after he has a visit and even the day he knows he will be seeing him.
Andrea Owens
Collin has a challenging home life. He performs at a lower academic level than everyone in the class. Having an Elevator made him feel special and boosted his confidence.
Amanda Bartoli
Jacob has recently been removed from his mom and lives with his brother's dad. I don't think Jacob has many people he can talk to about his mom and his home life situation. Having an Elevator really allows him to have someone to talk to about all of that. He is able to have someone to confide in and help him with his emotions. Jacob is a fun loving kid, but keeps a lot inside. He really needs this trusted adult that is a constant in his life. Having an Elevator has helped him from not completely unraveling.
Andrea Owens
This student’s father passed away a few years ago and his Elevator is the only real male role he has in his life. He has mentioned that having an Elevator makes him miss his dad but he enjoys being able to have a dad type igure in his life. He gets a lot of joy out of hanging out with his Elevator. His mom works a lot and he doesn't have a lot of adult attention at home. Having this one on one time really helps him have positive attention from an adult and has greatly improved his negative attention seeking behaviors in the classroom.
Andrea Owens
James lost his father this year and having a mentor to spend time with has helped him immensely. I have seen a much more positive attitude in James since Mr. Morrison started seeing him. -April Macchione
Allana has loved her time with her Elevator. She looks forward to Thursday afternoons and is always in a wonderful mood afterward. She has learned to trust her Elevator and has been able to confide in her. This has been a wonderful experience overall.
Kristen Elkins
Victor has given Ryan someone who cares for JUST HIM. He has been given a male role model to look forward to and to enjoy spending time together. Ryan’s dad "never spends any time with me" according to Ryan.
Lora Beth Adkins
Sophia loves the time with her Elevator! She seems happy when she goes and returns from their meetings.
Brittney Payne
Kimber looks forward to seeing Joanna every week. She has more self confidence. She needs positive adult attention and this program has given her that.
Danielle Goble
After she started meeting with her Elevator, Skylar became more talkative and more willing to participate. She is also less shy!
Emily Brown
Luke looks forward to Nate coming every week. He needs the individual attention. Luke’s behavior was a huge concern in August, but he has improved so much this year. It has really helped him to have a great adult role model to love and encourage him to make good choices.
Danielle Goble
Amaad’s Elevator has impacted his overall attitude and his behavior has improved. Amaad has even utilized learned mentoring techniques in multiple ways including mentoring younger students in our afterschool program. -Brittany Dempsey
Since starting with his Elevator, Angelo makes sure he gets to school on time! Community members taking time to mentor and get to know a child makes the student feel important and helps their goals stay in reach.
Leigh Poindexter
Chris has made such a huge impact on Adam. I have seen Adam look up when he is walking, actually talk to me and answer questions. Adam has struggled with peers every year and he seems to be able to talk to people now. I have been with Mary C. Snow for 7.5 years and this year is the first year I have ever seen Adam smile. Chris is amazing!
Natalie Blevins
I hope Jacqueline realizes the impact she is making with Anna. I have seen her grow in confidence, she comes into the school talking and leaves the school talking. To have a better understanding last year, her 3rd grade year, I did the lunch duty in her classroom and I never saw her eat or look up from her desk. She now walks with her head high, smiles and laughs. Anna stated her favorite part is reading with Jacqueline...to be clear, if Anna continues to read and graduate high school she will be the first in her family.
Natalie Blevins
Even though Angelo and David only met a short time ago, Angelo has been to school on time more days since meeting David than in his ENTIRE school life. His tardies were so bad it resulted in a meeting with his parent. I have seen Angelo look up once while walking down the hallway. David is already making a difference!
Natalie Blevins
Harley loves Marcus! He will usually start asking me on Monday if Marcus is coming tomorrow. Harley’s Auntie says "Harley will get tore up if that man can't come." She also stated, "I (Auntie) can say, Harley, if you don't get yourself together, your mentor will not be able to come, and he will straighten right up". The family loves Marcus and they need him. I know Harley can still be someone who needs reminding, however, he values Marcus and does not want to miss any time with him. Thank you to Marcus for the impact you are making in Harley's life! -Natalie Blevins
When I asked Amaad what he likes about meeting with Bryan he said, "I LOVE IT," and then smiled. Amaad stated, “Mr. Cokeley had surgery last week or this week, but I know he will meet me next week.” Then he smiled and walked away. It means the world for Amaad to know that he has someone he can count on.
Natalie Blevins
Kelly is making a big difference in Christina's life! She will ask me in the morning if Kelly is coming today. Christina smiles when she is talking about Kelly. She drew a picture of Kelly with a heart on her shirt and her arms outstretched as if Kelly was giving a hug. Kelly brought Christina gifts on her birthday and made her feel so special! The look on Christina’s face when I told her that Kelly was coming to visit her on her birthday was priceless. I don’t know if I have ever seen her smile so big!”
Natalie Blevins
Nicole has gone above and beyond when meeting with Ayonna. I think Ayonna truly feels like she has made a difference in her life and that she is a trusted adult that cares about her.
Caitlin Lastoria
Kelly comes every Thursday for Abby. You know that it's Thursday because of how excited Abby acts, and she doesn’t usually show excited emotions. Her engagement and overall attitude is improved because she knows she has a visit with Kelly.
Jessica McCormick
Matt has been a consistent presence in Saquan's life. He met with him weekly and even overcame the challenges of maintaining contact over the schoology conferences during the pandemic. Saquan is always excited to see Matt and enjoys playing games while talking about his week.
Caitlin Lastoria
Education Elevators is a West Virginia based, non-profit organization that partners businesses and organizations with local schools to match their employees with students in need of mentors, role models, friendship, academic support, and individual attention.