The program has been great for the Mary C. Snow After School Program. I have seen students who have trouble making friends look forward to seeing their Elevator. I have seen students who are insecure in school work become more involved with others and their school work.
Attendance to our after school program has even improved. I have other students asking if they could have a mentor. Parents and teachers will beg for their child or student to get an Elevator! Here are just some of the ways our students at MCS have been impacted:
5th grade student: He has been part of after school for three years and I have never seen him smile so much and be so confident. This student struggles in school with completing work as it tends to be hard for him and he struggles with making and keeping friends. However, he has smiled more, completed more homework and attended more after school days - he even stayed at after school extra days to be with his Elevator.
3rd grade student: The student has trouble getting along with others in and out of class, she has trouble making and keeping friends. She has had more positive interactions with others and more importantly has shown growth in self control when it comes to lashing out or back at others. Before her Elevator, I rarely saw the student smile during school or after school. On the days her Elevator comes and while they are together, the student is always smiling.
4th grader: The student loves his Elevator and his Elevator has met some of his family. The family LOVES the Elevator as they are so encouraged to hear him speak positively about something. The family will text me and come later to ensure the Elevator has "all the time".
2nd grader: The student is one of 7 children in the home and having a little extra attention is just what he needs. In fact it is because of this student that everyone knows about the Elevators program! He tells everyone about it!
4th grader: This student has only one friend and struggles to interact with her friend and others appropriately sometimes. She has made more friends and has become more social. Mom is happy to have a mentor for her child and is always asking if her Elevator is coming. Student has come to the after school program and stayed longer because she likes her Elevator.
2nd grader: This student is smart, talented and knows it. He will ask several times during the week if his Elevator is coming and even if he gets the days mixed up when they are to meet he will become upset. One time his mother walked "football" gloves over to school because he said he had to have them for when his "Elevator" came. He will often get in trouble for not listening to adults, but he is getting better at that. He loves to spend time with just his "Elevator" and his mother loves it too.
2nd grader: This student will plan her entire week around her Elevator. She will arrange her schedule to ensure she has her music lesson, dance team, and time with her Elevator. Her Elevator came to the Winter Concert and watched her play the violin. She tells everyone what fun they have and will invite other students to join. Everyone she tells wants to meet her Elevator, including adults.
-Natalie Blevins, After-School Coordinator
Jon was so awesome with Kevin. Kevin needs love and attention from all the adults in his life. Jon was very consistent in Kevin's life, always coming the same day and the same time. Kevin can be a very angry young man, but the days Jon was coming...He would perk up. Kevin has bad weeks, but Jon was always a welcomed sight for him. Kevin has difficulty expressing his feelings. He will throw things, have tantrums, and completely shut down. Having Jon around gave him a way and an outlet for him to express his feelings in an appropriate manner.
Andrea Perrow, Teacher
Kourtnea shares excitement when her Elevator comes and seems happier once she returns to class. Don’t stop reaching out. You’re impacting her in ways you can’t see.Thank you for being an inspiration to such an impressionable girl.
Christina Sleeth, Teacher
Tristen liked to spend time with Lance and I could see an improvement in Tristen's behavior. I have seen Tristen become easier to get along with. I love this program. I like how the Elevators come at lunch and recess, times that give the two an opportunity to talk.
Amy Casto, Teacher
Savanna knows when Ms. Jeanie is supposed to come and looks forward to her arrival. Savanna enjoys the time they spend together because she comes from a large family. I like the Elevators coming at recess time and lunch time. This allows for a relaxed environment for the student and elevator.
Amy Castro, Teacher
Jesse is growing with his social skills. He still has some room for growth, but I think he is benefitting from this program. Keep up the good work. We and our students appreciate you!
Brittany Holmes, Teacher
Amy always brightens Klaira's day! Klaira is excited to see her and always asks when she is coming. Klaira seems to be more confident in herself which translates to her academic performance. I think she enjoys talking with Amy and spending time with an adult whose focus is only on her.
Sarah Suan, Teacher
Mr. Lee was always there when he said he would be. He was a consistent person in Vinny's life. When he would have to miss for any reason, he would always communicate with me ahead of time so that Vinny would be prepared. He was a positive role model in Vinny's life and I believe that has caused an attitude shift for Vinny as well.
Carly Dye, Teacher
Micah looks forward to Kelly coming each week. He knows that he can count on her to be there. He enjoys sharing his friends with her, also. He seems to have more confidence and willingness to participate. She was consistent with her attendance. I didn't receive feedback from her or any questions about Micah, so I assumed she felt he was improving or that she was satisfied with her performance.
Courtney Bess, Teacher
The student he mentors is genuinely happy to see him, and he has helped Canyon to become more social and confident. I see nothing but positive outcomes in this program. I think it is a fantastic program. I really see changes in my students that get these services.
Kate Ward, Teacher
Juanita's Elevator has made a connection with her. She is reliable and communicates with me in regards to her schedule. I love seeing Juanita's face light up when her Elevator arrives.
April Macchione, Teacher
Angel is a great child, and I never have problems out of her, but she needs someone in her life that will be consistent and encouraging to her. Erica seems to give her a boost and she loves to see her. It always seems to make her day much brighter. Angel has shown better relationships with her peers, and excitement when at school.
Tawna Clark, Teacher
Chris is honestly, I believe, the best part of William’s week. If William is having a bad day Chris is usually readily available to come see him and always tries his best to be there for him. He even attends student conferences when he can! William has a rough home life, so seeing Chris is something he really looks forward to. Chris knows when his birthday is and visited him an extra day that week. He is a 100% constant in his life!
Carli Bourne, Teacher
I like the program very much. It is well organized. The Elevator’s are flexible and always communicate if they cannot be there. They cover for each other. KCE is lucky to have this program.
-Pamela Hurst, Teacher
Lisa makes Mason feel that someone is there just for him. It calms him and refuels his spirit. He settles down after a cooling off period, and he's refreshed after spending time with Lisa. He is always so excited to see Lisa. He's up and out the door before I know what's happening sometimes! I think Lisa is like a mother figure to him, and as a twin - he always has to share. He doesn't have to share Lisa and that is something he needed. -Stephanie Elkins, Teacher
I have seen great social and emotional improvement in Jazya since Angela began her visits. Angela has learned how to connect with Jazya through her interests. This program is amazing! We are lucky to have it at KCE! -Kacie Atha, Teacher
Brooklin has had good grades and behavior all year long, but having Kristi come has helped her by having another person in her life that cares about her. It has given her some more confidence. Kristi even sent some presents to Brooklin during the pandemic. This experience has been very positive for Brooklin. It is great for her to have an adult in her life that is consistent and that cares about her.
-Ashley Britton, Teacher
Stephen's Elevator was effective because he enjoyed his Elevator coming and it gave him something to look forward to and be happy about. He also gained more confidence in himself.
After meeting Taytum for the first time, I was worried that she was going to be very shy and timid toward me. However, as we spent time together, she really opened up with me and started to come out of her shell. She seemed to enjoy our time together and even asked her Uncle on multiple occasions if she could stay later just to hang out with me.
-Skyler Assif Matthews
The single most important thing I got out of this program is being able to help a child. After we started meeting, Kourtnea was more talkative and shared things with me. We have a good relationship. It breaks my heart when she says she wishes we could play more.
-Rachel Cokeley
Christian’s energy is contagious. He loves interacting with adults and dives into every activity with great enthusiasm. He is a joy to be around. Reflecting on the past several months, the thing I have most enjoyed, is watching Christian’s development as a student and person. It’s amazing how fast second-graders grow up! Since I started meeting with Christian, I have been pleased to see him improve his patience and politeness. These are traits that will serve him well for the rest of his life. Talking to Christian, and to the staff at his school, has opened my eyes to the struggles many local families experience every day. Being an Elevator has made me even more grateful for what I have, and inspired me to do more to help those in need.The best thing about being an Elevator is the happiness I can bring to Christian’s life, just by showing up. It’s really that easy! -Nate Orders
The foundation has been very supportive and provided games and activities. Continuing with that helps keep the time I spend with Ashlynn full. This is my 2nd year with Ashlynn and she seems to be more comfortable with me. She started asking me questions about my family and opens up a bit more with stuff going on in her life. I think that the program is extremely successful. I feel like we get support from the foundation when needed and the school seems very happy to have us there. I feel like Ashlynn doesn't get to feel like she is a top priority to the people in her life. With me, she gets all of my attention and I try to make her feel like the most important thing in my world when I am with her. She reacts with happiness when she sees me. She always says, "I knew you were going to come today!" Knowing that for a brief 30 minutes a week I am trying to make a child a little happier. Hopefully giving her some needed one on one time, helping to raise her confidence.
-Janette Peggs
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.By impacting individual students, we respond to fundamental needs in our communities.Education Elevators is designed to facilitate and support meaningful mentoring partnerships of businesses and organizations with local elementary schools.
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