Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham | U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McKinney, 20th Fighter Wing command...... read more read more
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SUMTER, S.C. - U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McKinney, 20th Fighter Wing command chief, started a series of mentorship visits at elementary schools near Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, March 1.
Before McKinney even arrived at Shaw, he made the decision to make an impact on the local community.
“God put it on my heart to leverage the office of which I am a steward, to reach out into the local community to help empower people,” said McKinney. “There are so many people that have poured into my life, mentored me and guided me, that I have a sacred obligation to do the same.”
Students from F.J. Delaine Elementary in Wedgefield, South Carolina and Rafting Creek Elementary in Rembert, South Carolina, learned what it means to be extraordinary by understanding excellence. McKinney encouraged the students to follow his personal list of excellence.
Read every day, work hard every day, be honest, be helpful to others, and be respectful. If you learn these fundamentals you will succeed in everything you set out to do, McKinney said.
Shaw’s top enlisted leader also set out to teach the students to believe in themselves.
“We have too many kids who grow up in economically depressed areas and as a result they may not see a way to break the cycle,” said McKinney, “which in turn may cause a child to under-value education, which only perpetuates the problem.”
McKinney told the students about how mentorship changed his life after having his fair share of mistakes throughout his childhood.
“When I was in seventh grade, two teachers who didn’t look anything like me said something that changed the trajectory of my life,” said Mckinney. “They basically told me that I was not living up to my potential and that they saw so much more in me.”
Just as was he influenced to reach his potential at school, the 20th FW CCC wanted to inspire and encourage students to do the same.
“Our students responded to Chief McKinney’s visit with enthusiasm and loads of questions,” said Ida Barboza, Rafting Creek Elementary School principal. “It is so important for them to be constantly motivated and encouraged, not only by their teachers but by others outside of our school community as well. Chief McKinney’s message was a valuable one that supports what we persistently strive to instill in our students.”
The chief hopes to re-visit the schools each month to develop relationships with the children and also encourage Team Shaw leaders to do the same.
“The intent is to lead from the front and encourage other Air Force and Army service members to share their talent and experiences in our local schools. I firmly believe that if each one of us invests a little time, we can reshape the culture and empower people.”
As McKinney continues to encourage and mentor the children, he plans to speak to the students about the “road to destiny,” specifically about how input determines thoughts, during his next visits.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2016 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 192291 |
| Location: | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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