Lilburn Middle School offers chance 
for every buddy to help 

The No Child Left Behind Act struck me at the time as one more mandate by people living on clouds and totally out of touch with what’s happening on the ground. How are teachers supposed to ensure that no child is left behind when they don’t even know where some of them are? Some schools have a 100% turnover rate from August to May. And then, even in schools with a stable population, some kids just refuse to buckle down and learn. I know. I’ve worked with some of them.

But then, maybe it’s just me. Dr. Connie Davis of Lilburn Middle School, seem to be more optimistic about keeping kids running with the pack.

“Teachers used to think in terms of percentages of kids that would pass, but NCLB forces teachers and educators to look at every child, and realizing that every child is capable of learning,” said Davis.

Sure, but with how much time and effort? And therein lays the challenge that Davis sought to conquer.

Davis’s volunteer mentoring program at LMS is beginning its third year of success. Except for seniors who went off too college, all of the 100 plus volunteers from last year have returned.

With a 45 minute commitment, once a week, volunteers work one-on-one with students at risk of being left behind. The secret, Davis says, is in matching the right mentor with the right child. And it’s sometimes surprising the kids who need the extra boost.

Leah Ott, who teaches gifted children, had a student who was totally unmotivated, but with the right mentor, her attitude turned around and she began to think that having a mentor was really cool.

Mentors come from all walks of live. Davis lists pastors, policemen, politicians, and even personal trainers from Gold’s Gym.

“Katrina sent me up here and I never went back,” said Marilyn Thayer. “The school system took in my grandchildren and treated them like celebrities. I want to give back.”

Rachel Stanley, a Brookwood High School student is returning for her second year, and is also recruiting more students from Key Club, Beta Club and Future Teachers of America. 

And retiree Sal DeGaetano, from St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, is especially committed to the program. “I come from humble beginnings and know where these kids are. I want to help them reach their goals.” In fact he’s is so enthusiastic that he’s recruiting his buddies from church. Mentors Dallas LeDuff and Bob Corney have just matched up with their assigned students, and DeGaetano aims to recruit at least 20 more.

With Davis’s talent to buddy up perfect pairs, and Stanley’s and DeGaetano’s recruiting skills, No Child Left Behind might be more like “Nobuddy” Left Behind. To keep pace with what’s happening, call 678-380-7221 or e-mail connie_davis@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

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