Valerie Bailey, Director

My name is Valerie Bailey and I am the Director of School Age Connections. I graduated from Marshall University in 2008 with a BA in English Education. I worked as a substitute teacher in Cabell County for 2 years after receiving my degree and then was hired by River Valley as a nutrition specialist at Enterprise. I held that position with River Valley for 2 years before being hired in this position.

The School Age Connections program strives to keep children engaged physically and intellectually, by identifying their specific needs and interests and providing enriching activities and experiences. We encourage children to participate in group activities to promote social skills, but will also support them in self-choosing activities that foster a sense of independence and cultivate intrinsically-motivated learning. I believe in educating the whole child - academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.

Paris Burks

Hello, my name is Paris Burks. I’m from Chesapeake, Ohio. I'm a freshman at Ohio University Southern and I'm pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. After I graduate, I plan to become a middle school or high school counselor. I love working with kids of all ages. I've worked with kids most of my life. I worked with my grandmother, who has run a daycare from her home for over 10 years. This gave me excellent experience with children. I love working with kids!

Alison Wilkinson

My name is Alison Wilkinson. I am from the small town of Kenna, West Virginia. I'm currently working on my degree at Marshall University – double majoring in Communication Disorders and Psychology. I come from a large family of six, and I'm the oldest child out of the four. I love reading and exploring new places. My favorite place in the world is the beach. My goal is to become a Speech and Language Pathologist following my graduate schooling. I enjoy working with children because they're entertaining and exciting, and there's never a dull moment. I learn just as much from the children as they do from me. I love kids for this, and I am nothing but a giant kid at heart.