Laughlin mentors help students LEEP to success

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Courtney Kippenberger
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As the school year comes to an end, some Laughlin Airmen find themselves remembering their elementary school days. 

Not of them climbing the monkey bars back in the fifth grade, but of their time spent at a local elementary school during the past few months impacting young lives by participating in a Laughlin mentoring program. 

The mentoring program, first called "Big Cat Mentor Program," was created by Capt. Scott Thompson, 85th Flying Training Squadron, and Brianne Normandin, a teacher at Ruben Chavira Elementary School, back in January as way to help students excel in a non-threatening, motivating environment. 

The original program paired 25 Airmen from the 85th FTS with a student they would visit with on a weekly basis. 

Since then, the program has grown to include more than just members from the 85th FTS and has been renamed "Laughlin Education and Enrichment Program" to show its growth. 

"The program has dramatically grown as mentors from other units across base have volunteered their support and efforts," said Capt. Thompson. 

Before being paired with a student, each mentor was required to attend a mandatory training day consisting of briefings from the school administrators, guidance counselors, the legal office and family services. 

Once considered fully trained and parental permission was granted, the mentors were allowed access to the students' records in order to monitor their progress and place emphasis with the students where needed. 

"This program is more than a tutoring program. It requires consistency and dedication on everyone's part. Parents had to commit to allow access to their child's reports, teachers committed by sending academic and behavioral updates, the students were expected to perform in a manner consistent with their desire to be in the program and the mentors had to focus their attention on the students to obtain the desired goals of the program," said Captain Thompson. 

The meetings between student and mentor began taking place in March. While only expected to meet with students once a week, many mentors dedicated numerous hours, meeting with their assigned student several times a week. 

Both school officials and mentors cite the students' increased morale, discipline and academic performance as a direct result of the program.

The school administration also evaluated the program's success by almost every participating student achieving a passing score on their recent Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests. As a result, Ruben Chavira achieved the highest rating a Texas school can earn: "Exemplary." 

"I truly believe that the mentoring [Laughlin] has provided for some of our most at-risk students has been an instrumental part of their success and our school's new exemplary rating," said Aida Gomez, Ruben Chavira principal. 

A tour of Laughlin, complete with simulator rides and a private demonstration of Laughlin's Military Working Dogs, rounded out the year recognizing the students' achievements May 22. 

"The best part of this program was seeing the changes in the students' spirits each time we visited. Between discussions about school and home life, we often played games with the kids, so working together was always fun," said Captain Thompson. 

Captain Thompson said the school and Laughlin will continue the mentoring program next year. Even with the increase in Laughlin support, the program has consistently had a waiting list of about 10 students at any given time and with the added interest in expanding the program to include students from other schools volunteers are always needed. 

"The success of this program was a direct result of the dedication and hard work of a lot of people. Special thanks to the efforts of Brianne Normandin, Aida Gomez, the parents of the students, base organizations and of course, the mentors," said Captain Thompson.