Navy Signs Mentoring Agreement with Arlington Public Schools

By Lt. j.g. Laura K. Stegherr, Diversity Directorate Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy signed a formal partnership agreement April 14 with the Arlington, Va. Career Center (ACC) that will bring together Navy volunteers and mentors with ACC students.

The Personal Excellence Partnership Agreement, signed by Steffanie Easter, assistant deputy chief of naval operations for manpower, personnel, training and education, and Dr. Jerry Caputo, principal of ACC, establishes a link between the Navy and ACC through which ACC students will have the opportunity to work with Naval professionals in the Washington, D.C. area in several classroom and extra-curricular activities.

The ACC is a program of the Arlington Public Schools system which provides high-school level students with career and technical education programs and educational certificates. The center serves more than 1,100 students a day.

With this agreement, Navy volunteers will serve as classroom aides and tutors, volunteers for special events, and provide one-on-one mentoring for ACC students, with the goal of equipping students with the necessary skills to be life-ready and college-bound.

Before signing the agreement, Easter expressed confidence that the Navy volunteers will make a positive and life-changing impact on ACC's students.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity we have today to forge this relationship with the ACC," said Easter. "The Navy is committed to providing professional, well-prepared and disciplined sailors and civilians to help out in this effort, and they are all committed to making this program a success. The Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment will form the foundation of the services and support that we are here to offer to you."

Chris Pagliaro, assistant principal at ACC, also expressed his thoughts on the partnership.

"It's no secret that having volunteers helps students and schools in so many ways," said Pagliaro. "The collaboration between the Navy and the career center will have as its chief goal to provide role models for academic success and civic responsibility. It is my hope that our new volunteers reach that threshold of enjoyment in an academic classroom, a field trip, working on a project in class, or chaperoning, or developing a relationship with a student that evokes fond memories of a community adult who gained as much from the students and the students gained from them."

The Navy has historically provided volunteers and mentors to work with local schools within the Washington, D.C. area. Opportunities to volunteer with the ACC ar open to uniformed and civilian Naval personnel.