Become a Mentor

Virginia Beach City Public Schools encourages the establishment of structured student mentorship programs in every school. School-based mentorships are a wonderful way to meaningfully engage volunteers and partners.

Would you like to be a mentor in one of our schools? If so, please complete this form. Should you have any questions about the mentorship program, contact Laura Smart, Office of Community Engagement at 757.263.1337 or laura.smart@vbschools.com.

“Every adult needs a child to teach . . . that's the way adults learn.” Guy Doud, Former National Teacher of the Year

Why Mentorships?

The need . . .
The decrease in adult involvement in children's lives has been linked to numerous consequences for youth, from low achievement in school to increased juvenile crime rates. In an effort to counteract these trends, our schools are interested in establishing structured mentorship programs. Through these programs, we hope to strengthen students' chances for success by providing greater access to caring adults and the wealth of resources those adults possess.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ mentorship program connects students with caring adults by establishing supportive relationships, which encourage:

• academic success
• emotional well-being
• interpersonal growth
• special interests

What Does a Mentor Do?

A mentor may serve as a friend, coach, sponsor, guide, advocate, and role model for a student. The mentor meets with the student weekly at school, usually during “home base,” lunch, or before or after school. Mentors may tutor students in academic subjects, share common interests such as sports or music, and serve as good listeners when students want to talk. The basic tasks of mentors are to:

• establish open, friendly, and trusting relationships with students
• help students develop life skills
• provide students with new possibilities and opportunities
• increase students’ ability to interact and communicate

Qualifications of Mentors

A mentor should:

• volunteer at least 30 minutes per week to meet with a student
• attend an orientation/training session
• have a genuine concern for young people
• respect and accept different points of view
• be a good listener
• be encouraging and supportive
• be dependable, providing stability and inspiring trus
• adhere to the VBCPS Guidelines for School Volunteers

Benefits of Mentoring

Research indicates the following benefits to school-based mentorships:

• Students are provided with additional positive adult role models.
• Students are able to communicate with someone who cares about them and can listen without judging.
• Mentors experience personal satisfaction from making positive contributions to youth.
• Mentors develop a better understanding of young people and the challenges they face.
• Schools and communities strengthen mutually beneficial relationships, which tend to energize both.
• Students may experience improved academic performance, new and varied interests, and increased confidence.

Meet Some of Our Mentors

Major Wendell Bazemore
Windsor Oaks Elementary

Major Wendell Bazemore, EWTGLANT, serves as a mentor to a third grader at Windsor Oaks Elementary.

Dr. Adolph Brown

Dr. Adolph Brown, Professor at Hampton University (HU), encourages HU students to mentor high school students as part of a college course requirement. HUSH (Hampton University Students Helping) connects college students majoring in helping professions with Virginia Beach high school students.

Anne Burton
Malibu Elementary

Anne Burton is a member of Kings Grant Presbyterian Church and mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Elizabeth Charles
Malibu Elementary

Elizabeth Charles, a member of Thalia United Methodist Church, mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Gerald Crawford
Advanced Technology Center

Gerald Crawford, Liberty Tax Manager, mentors two Advanced Technology Center students who are gaining skills in working help desk and providing technical expertise and customer service to franchise owners.

Susan Danchise
Malibu Elementary

Susan Danchise, a retired teacher, mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Trent Dorroh
Advanced Technology Center

Trent Dorroh, Account Executive from American Business Systems (ABS) Architects, mentors two Advanced Technology Center Cisco Networking Academy students in gaining foundation skills in networking and providing customer service.

Rich Hamady
Advanced Technology Center

Rich Hamady, Geico LAN/Telecom Manager Region 7, mentors one Advanced Technology Center Computer Network Administration student in networking operations, PC maintenance and customer service.

Debbie Hinkle
Strawbridge

Strawbridge parent volunteer Debbie Hinkle mentors a student.

Larry Johnson
Advanced Technology Center

Larry Johnson, Liberty Tax Director of Technical Support, mentors two ATC students who are gaining skills in working help desk and providing technical expertise and customer service to franchise owners.

Gladys Kinsey
Malibu Elementary

Gladys Kinsey is a mentor at Malibu Elementary.

Raquel Lay
Salem High

Hampton University psychology major Raquel Lay mentors students at Salem High as part of HUSH (Hampton University Students Helping).

Lee Troxell / Ann Marie Garvey
Advanced Technology Center

Lee Troxell, Advanced Technology Center Digital Design instructor, and Ann Marie Garvey mentor a Digital Design student in redesigning the ATC website.

Sarah Martin
Glenwood Elementary School

Sarah Martin, Investment Specialist with Virginia Asset Management, serves as a mentor/tutor at Glenwood Elementary School.

Deputy Floyd Parker
Malibu Elementary

Deputy Floyd Parker is a D.A.R.E. Officer and mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Donna Perry
Malibu Elementary

Donna Perry, a member of Kings Grant Presbyterian Church, mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Patti Porter
Malibu Elementary

Patti Porter, Assistant Principal at Malibu Elementary, serves as a mentor in the school’s Lunch Buddies program.

Delores Purvis
Bettie F. Williams Elementary

Delores Purvis, volunteer and member of the AKA sorority, reads with second graders at Bettie F. Williams Elementary weekly as part of the "Reading Academy" sponsored by the sorority.

Bobbi Rush
Malibu Elementary

Bobbi Rush, a member of Kings Grant Baptist, is a mentor at Malibu Elementary.

Judge Thomas Shadrick
Seatack Elementary

Judge Thomas Shadrick, initiator and key recruiter for the Virginia Beach Bar Association's mentorship program at Seatack Elementary.

Barbara Summers
Malibu Elementary

Barbara Summers, an active community volunteer and member of Thalia United Methodist Church, is a mentor at Malibu Elementary.

Donald Traylor
Malibu Elementary

Donald Traylor is a mentor at Malibu Elementary.

Jean Vaughan
Malibu Elementary

Jean Vaughan, a retired teacher, is a mentor at Malibu Elementary.

The Virginia Beach Bar Association
Seatack Elementary

The Virginia Beach Bar Association recruits mentors to work with third grade students at Seatack Elementary.

Skip Wallace
Malibu Elementary

Skip Wallace is the pastor of Kings Grant Baptist and mentors a second grade student at Malibu Elementary.

Sandy Williams
Malibu Elementary

Sandy Williams, a retired teacher, mentors a student at Malibu Elementary.

Shirley Zartman
Malibu Elementary

Shirley Zartman is a member of Thalia United Methodist Church and a mentor at Malibu Elementary.