“Volunteering”
Last Friday morning I had one of the biggest surprises of my life.
I attended a Volunteer Thank You assembly at the local elementary school where I, as well as others from KTAR, work with kids about once week.
I teach public speaking to 6th graders. My goals are two-fold; Not only do I teach them how to get up in front of their classmates and read a speech or demonstrate a certain skill, but I also am helping them find their own voice, own their space and say their name with confidence.
When I was first approached to work with kids, I was hesitant. I don’t have kids, I’ve never coached a team, and I thought I was too busy.
I set high goals for these kids from the first day I walked into their classroom. They were to write and deliver a 3-minute speech from memory, while developing a sense of pride and assurance along the way. It was a tall order. But, as I have learned, if I don’t expect a lot of myself, who will?
For the first couple of classes, some kids would put their heads on their desks when called on. Some girls could only whisper their name when asked to speak. “Louder!” I would encourage from the back of class. “Pretend I am your little brother and I am getting on your nerves! Now, what is your name?” “Hello, my name is…” they would reply meekly and carry on with the lesson of that day.
Some would freeze and look down at their shoes, not knowing what to do. I would place myself in front of them and their classmates and ask them to just focus on me. They would lock onto me and I would walk them through the assignment while blocking out the rest of the class.
There were a few who enjoyed getting up in front of the class, but the first couple of weeks were tough as I thought I wasn’t getting through to these kids, who, in most cases, do not speak English in their own homes.
So imagine my utter surprise and delight when I found out during the assembly that all the kids who were up on stage reading parts of their collective thank you’s all volunteered to get up on that stage in front of their entire school. And one was a child, who early on, would not look me in the eye when called on. Not only had she memorized her part, she was the loudest and most articulate.
Please, don’t assume volunteering doesn’t make a difference in a community; I know firsthand how important and imperative it is to get involved and make a difference in a child’s life.
If you have the time, volunteer. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn…about yourself.
Mac
Hats off to you Mac. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of kids!! I got goosebumps reading your article, sometimes all they need is some direction and encouragment. With children you have two choices in my mind, you can build them up or you can tear them down. Thanks for being one of the building blocks in their lives. As a mother of 4 girls, ranging in age from 25 to 17, I look back at those that made a difference in their lives. I am so grateful for those that took the time to see the person in my child and I still cringe at the thought of those that tried to tear them down. Sixth grade is such an awkward time in many kids lives and you have obviously been an encouragment to them and helped them find their voices. Again, hats off to you!!
YOU ROCK! I know this is an over-used term, but that is the first thing that popped in my head. My company’s business is putting technology into schools so that they can learn and grow. I know we are helping children, but I forget that the personal touch is very important also.
Good for you.
I’m really new at this so please be forgiving. About the teacher watching porn. This poor woman what a mess. She said that she went to the restroom and came back and the kids were snickering.Do people understand how computer sauvy kids are these days Children know so much about the computers its amazing. I have four children, three sons and a daughter and I had pop ups on my computer when the kids were young. I had to learn more about my kids. They are 20-27 and doing just great but I know they tapped into websites that were not the best. Don’t ever mention an animal or you will find yourself somewhere you don’t want to be. I tried to help them with a report and it opened up a new world for me, not a good one. I was very innocent at the time. Anyway I feel this teacher needs to be checked out but 40 years ia absured.
When people think that their volunteering won’t make a difference or that they think they have nothing to offer to kids:
Go back in your own life and think of that one person who as an adult, that was not your parent or teacher, that you learned something from….that you looked up to…..that just maybe said one thing that has stuck with you your entire life.
YOU could be that someone for a kid now.
Nice job, Mac - kudos to you! I felt myself just about tearing up reading about that last girl that finally got up on stage!
And kudos also for caring enough about animals, too, to always go out of your way to help them. I do the same thing. Not enough people get involved, whether it’s kids, animals, their elderly neighbor, or even their neighborhood. People who turn a blind eye really upset me. So it’s nice to hear a positive story, and hopefully your experiences will spur others on to action!
Good Job Mac!!!!!!!!
Continue your work in the schools. The small amount of time invested yields huge returns as you are beginning to see.
THANKS for your volunteered time.
You can give all the “stuff,” but it’s the human interaction that makes ALL the difference. Everybody benefits.