Joanie Forrestier
To celebrate National Mentoring Month, we would like to honor our mentor Joanie Forrestier and her mentee, 5th grade student Raniya Studyvant. Joanie and Raniya have been mentoring together at Sarah T. Reed Elementary for two years. During the course of their relationship, the two have worked on math homework, went to the movies, studied for the LEAP test, set goals together, and built a strong trust and friendship. Along with implementing valuable life lessons, Joanie practices constant praise and reinforcement with Raniya. Joanie explains, “The limitations that you have are only the limitations you put on yourself.”
When asked what she likes the most about having a mentor, Raniya says her grades have since improved and Joanie makes her feel good about herself. Raniya gladly shares her school grades with Joanie and says her mom can’t wait until she gets her next report card. In their last mentoring session, Joanie and Raniya wrote out New Year’s resolutions and decided to start journaling.
Joanie Forrestier is very in touch with her community and with the local schools. Joanie is retired from AT&T and now serves as a minister, life coach, and president of the Academy Park Subdivision Homeowner Association. She is trained in domestic abuse issues and also acts as a caretaker. Joanie says she sees a calmness, as well as improved behavior in Raniya. Joanie says that through mentoring, she has improved her life coaching skills and has become an even better example to Raniya. The two make a great duo and hope to stay together for many years to come.