Editor,
I really enjoyed my time as a volunteer at Eureka Springs Elementary School this past year, and I thank the students and staff who made this such a positive experience.
Even before I began newspaper writing 20 years ago, I had become interested in how we teach writing. I had a pretty good grasp of the process starting in about fourth grade, but I had only a fuzzy notion of the earliest steps.
I spent a few hours a week in Meleia Saab’s second-grade class and Danielle Purvis’s kindergarten, and I learned a lot from watching them work daily miracles.
I used to think of kindergarten as taking naps and eating paste, but they don’t bring mats to school anymore. At year’s end, Danielle’s 16 kids all tested proficient or advanced in reading. Even after watching it happen, I have trouble believing anyone could get a bunch of five-year-olds to read and write so well.
I spent more time in Meleia’s classroom, and I so admired her confidence and skill. Like Danielle, she strikes a perfect balance between high expectations and steady patience. Her kids responded, and gradually took those expectations upon themselves.
A strong sense of teamwork unites the staff. I had noticed that teamwork before I began volunteering, while dropping off or picking up my grandchildren. That teamwork makes such a difference, especially at a small school, where teachers and other staff members often have to juggle their responsibilities. Much of the credit for that atmosphere goes to Principal Claire Lesieur, although she would try to shift the credit to everybody else.
As parents (or grandparents), we often have to rely on our kids’ estimations to assess the school’s performance. I had the privilege of looking from the inside, and I can tell anyone with kids at the school that you couldn’t find a better place for them.
For anyone considering volunteer work at the school, I learned a lot and had fun doing it. Volunteers don’t need any special experience – just listening to a kid read for a few minutes can make a difference. Chrys McClung, curriculum coordinator, helped me find the perfect spot, and I felt like I had inherited a bunch of new grandchildren.
Mike Ellis