AIA mentor believes in community involvement

By SrA. Jennifer Gregoire
HQ AIA/PA
Kelly Air Force Base, Texas

For a mentor assigned to the Air Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations, the opportunity to encourage a 7th grader to do well in school has become a top priority.

“I love to work with kids because it’s important to me to help a child stay on the right track and steer them away from bad decisions,” said MSgt. Valerie Davis, chief of Contingency Planning. “When I heard about the Southwest Enrichment Center and how the kids there were at risk, I wanted to offer my help in anyway I could,” she said.

Davis joined the Kelly Air Force Base and Southwest Independent School District Mentor Program almost three years ago.

This year, she was one of three Team Kelly members honored during the San Antonio Area Mentor Association’s 10th Annual Spring Conference. SAAMA is a mentoring association located at the University of Texas in San Antonio that supports area mentoring efforts.

Davis has mentored Nancy Duron for more than a year. “We sat down with her records, looked at all her academic areas and set goals over a period of time Then we mapped out a lesson plan,” said Davis.

“I got study guides from her teachers and we worked from there. Mainly, it was her effort and her wanting to do better that the improvement came from.

“When my student’s grades improved, she really enjoyed that feeling and it made me feel really good,” said Davis, who helped her student excel in four major subjects.

Between juggling her military career, raising a family and attending college, she always made the time for mentoring.

“My 3-year-old gives me energy and also great time management skills. If something is important to you, you’ll make time for it,” said Davis.

“I think that raising kids is a team effort of not only parents, but other relatives, friends, teachers and mentors. I come a very large family and my two brothers helped guide me, and helped me establish my goals and stay focused,” said Davis.

“It’s important to give back to the community and I’ve been fortunate to help. The mentor program is very important. You know how the kids feel about their mentors because you see the smile on their face when they see them,” said Davis.