role Models

Ida B. wells students ‘Adopt’ Local elementary school

For years, students in the ida B. Wells Gateway at Mary Baldwin College — named for the 19th-century writer, activist, and suffragist — have worked to support multicultural events on campus and extend a hand to the local community. This year’s effort made a positive difference in the lives of many children at Bessie Weller Elementary School in Staunton.

Members of the gateway “adopted” the local school in 2014–15, hoping

to help shrink the achievement gap between white students and students of color by mentoring children in all grades and with various abilities. principal linda Mahler said the outreach made a major difference for her school, as MBC students provided teachers extra pairs of hands, helped prepare classroom materials, and assisted with students. Most importantly, Mahler said, the mentors became positive role models for dozens of youngsters who might not previously have considered going to college.

“i went into the project wanting a chance to identify with the new community around me; however, i gained so much more than that,” said Kristen Goodman ’18, a biology major from richmond. “Getting to know the students and faculty at Bessie was a great way for me to give back to my community and stand as a role model for the young girls at the elementary school.”

Goodman worked in Doris rapert’s third-grade classroom as well as with youngsters in the after-school program, forming a special bond while reading together and helping them with homework.

Sophomore Kausha parrish from Gloucester volunteered in a kindergarten class with several children who had learning disabilities.

“regardless of race or disability, everyone in that class was accepted,” parrish said. “i was so thrilled that i had an opportunity to be placed in a class that gave me more understanding and knowledge about working with people who have a disability. it was truly a wonderful learning experience and has made a huge impact on my life.”

Second-grade teacher renee Monger ’06 said MBC students NyErica Young, Kaylla Jackson, and Alayah Austin worked with individual students and small groups in her classroom, took care of filing and organizing as needed, and helped to prep materials for activities.

“My students looked forward to the days they would come, and we were sad when their work with us stopped,” Monger said. “My students know that Mary Baldwin is where i went to school, so they really enjoyed getting to know the college students. Some of them

have said that they would like to go to Mary Baldwin when they get older.” in addition to the hands-on help in the classroom, the gateway group raised money for Bessie Weller’s Helping Hands Fund, which gives discreet support to children who are in need of meals, field trip dues, clothing, and more. The students organized an offering at this year’s Martin luther King Jr. Day celebration to support the Bessie Weller fund.

“it was a wonderful, very enthusiastic, positive event,” Mahler said. “We were overwhelmed at the generosity.”

“I went into the project wanting a chance to identify with the new community around me; however, I gained so much more than that.”