McDowell County: December Spotlight

Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Kristy Mullins is placing a strong emphasis on improving student attendance at Coalfield Elementary School while ensuring each child’s individual needs are met. 

Through daily check-ins, relationship-building, and collaboration with families and teachers, Kristy works to identify the underlying barriers that keep students from coming to school consistently. Whether those challenges are academic, social, emotional, or related to basic needs, she connects students with the right supports—ranging from tutoring, mentoring, working sporting events to ensure all students may attend and/or participate, provides transportation services, after-school tutoring services, utilizes their therapy dog- Coal for social/emotional/academics needs, access to clothing and hygiene items, school supplies, and community resources. 

Her goal is to create a stable, encouraging environment where students feel seen, supported, and motivated to succeed. By addressing attendance and whole child needs simultaneously, she helps remove obstacles that interfere with learning and empowers students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.