Naples School wants to enrich volunteers
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| Mrs. Cavendar and her 2011 newspaper class at Naples Elementary. |
The magnet school program at Naples Elementary, now in its second year, has been delightfully successful, not only for the students who get to combine a variety of real-world activities with their regular curriculum, but for the volunteers who share with them their experiences and interests. They're looking, once again, for volunteers.
If you walk in while the magnet programs (to learn more, click here) are underway, you might be tempted to wonder just what in the world is going on. It's a cacophony, a blur of sights and sounds. You'll hear the thump of a bass guitar, the tinkle of pianos and the strum or clash of guitar, depending on the musical genre preferred by the volunteer present that day. There might be argument going on between a kid who has an idea and an adult who spent a lifetime involved in the subject matter who never thought to try it quite that way.
You'll see kids of all elementary ages (grade distinction, for the most part, goes out the window during these sessions, and you'll likely see first and fifth graders working side by side) doing science, music and art, from "Physics with Legos" to juggling.
You'll see dedicated teachers, stretching the boundaries of all they've ever learned, weaving the strands of esoteric and arcane disciplines learned over the course of long years with the ABCs most of us more commonly associate with elementary schools.
If you, like I happened into last year (click here), are one of the grizzled old volunteers sharing your knowledge and skill, be it gained through work, hobby or interest, you're going to see something amazing.
Students genuinely interested in what you have to say, because, though nascent, they share your interest, and they're there because they choose to be. Teachers able to take diverse and often complex thoughts and ideas and use them to bolster fundamental concepts ... a far cry from what many of us remember of that age, of being force-fed and learning by rote without ever knowing the why.
Genuine youthful curiosity given wings.
It may not seem to us old timers who volunteer like what school should be, not at all like what we remembered, but to see even one student's "aha!" moment, when they move what they've learned from the "that was boring," column into the one labeled, "OH WOW, WAY COOL!" just because you touched a chord (no pun intended) in their imagination.
Just because you might not see a connection between grade school and what you've spent a lifetime learning and doing, don't think you can't contribute, won't know what too say or how to say it, be it once for a class that lasts an hour or through all ten hour-long class each Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m., don't be afraid; they're only kids and there will be a real teacher there to help you through it!
You might even go away with an "AHA!" moment of your own, as I did, and remember what it was that drew you to be where you are all those years ago.
To take advantage of such a remarkable opportunity, call the lady who assuaged my fears last February, made me feel welcome, and dropped me off in an empty classroom, Mrs. Linda Lee.
I was looking for a way out when Mrs. Cavendar came in, thanked me for being there and sent me into a panic by telling me the kids would be there soon.
There was no way out ... a classroom of kids came in and .... everything fell into place. When they started asking questions, I forgot I was scared.
"It's amazing what a group of dedicated people can accomplish!" someone said as I walked out, awed. I didn't hear a din anymore, I heard songs.
As an inept volunteer, I realized I had learned as much or more than the kids who bid me welcome.
You bet, I'm calling Linda Lee at (208) 267-2956 to see if I can help again.