We congratulate Kimberly Johnson, Pinellas County’s Take Stock in Children 2024-2025 Mentor of the Year! Kimberly was among many mentors honored at the Pinellas County Schools Outstanding Mentor Appreciation Breakfast held during Mentor Appreciation Month.
Kimberly’s mentoring journey started with mentee Amelia in the student’s 8th grade year. What makes Kimberly’s mentoring stand out in the Pinellas program is the mentor’s quality of care and dedication to mentoring Amelia throughout the student’s journey from middle through high school.
“Kim fulfills the most important part of my role in the Take Stock program, being a mentor,” said Stacie Allen, Student Services Coordinator for the Pinellas Education Foundation. “Because she has a positive relationship with her mentee Amelia, who looks forward to their visits and is always here and on time to meet. Kim mentors Amelia virtually and prioritizes her meetings in her workday schedule. Kim and Amelia’s meetings are fulfilling to listen in on. Kim committed to seeing Amelia through graduation, and I predict they will continue their friendship into Amelia’s adulthood.”
Amelia told an honest and thoughtful story about the student’s journey with Kimberly: “I will never forget the day I was told I was awarded my scholarship. My mom and I were beyond happy at the news that my opportunity to go to college had just become a reality. At that moment, I had no idea I had just received something better than the money. I also received the start of a lifelong friendship with my mentor, Kim.”
At first, Amelia thought meeting with a stranger would be just another task to check off the student’s already packed list of responsibilities. Still, their relationship grew to be more impactful in Amelia’s life. “She has gotten me to open up around her; when I first met her, I was so shy. Now I feel like I have blossomed around her and feel safe with what I say around her because she just laughs and listens to everything.” Amelia’s gratitude shines through how much the student talks about Kim: “My mentor is such an amazing person, and I feel so blessed to have her in my life. She has helped me so much with my academic and personal life.”
“My mentor Kim has helped me in ways no one really could. She has been a second mom, friend, and respected adult that I can tell everything to. I am so glad I got paired up with her; I would not have in any other way. I hope we continue our friendship even after I graduate.”
Teenagers need a trusted adult who cares about their overall well-being. Since 1995, Take Stock in Children has sought to give high-potential, low-income, underrepresented students the resources they need to graduate from high school, go to college, achieve degree attainment, and succeed in college, career, and life. When those resources come in the form of mentors like Kimberly, Florida students like Amelia can feel seen and heard and grow in confidence to pursue their goals.
“I can tell my mentor anything, and she gives me such good advice,” Amelia continued. “Kim never takes sides because she is a parent of teenagers as well, so she gets where my mom is coming from and where I’m coming from. When Kim does tell me I’m in the wrong, I take it as respect because it’s rare when she tells me I’ve taken things too far; that’s why I have so much respect for her. She just listens. That is all people ever wanted, is to have someone listen to them.”
The Pinellas Education Foundation shared, “Our Take Stock in Children program would not be possible without dedicated mentors like Kimberly, who serve as role models and guide students through academic and personal challenges. Research shows that students with mentors are more engaged in school and often demonstrate improved academic performance.”
Congratulations again to Kimberly Johnson on being such an inspirational force in your mentee’s life!