I’m Just Curious: T-shirt awakening!

by Debbie Walker

Yes that is correct. I saw a T-shirt in a picture on the computer this week that really caught my attention. Now I will admit that if I hadn’t decided to volunteer in a first grade class this year I might not have paid as much attention.

Words on the shirt were, “Teachers Make all Other Professions Possible.” Wow!! How true that really is. Think about it. It amazes me that in this day and age sports people and various other professions are paid so much more than teachers. Hard to believe really. I know that a lot of people think teachers only work part of the year and have all these holidays off ……….ya ya ya. Those people are laboring under a huge misconception.

I know you hear about teachers needing more pay, I am reasonably sure that if you followed teachers around for a few days your opinion would change. There are teachers who do work year round. Their days are not 8 to 4. Most teachers I believe leave the school and take care of their family roles and after all that settle down to correcting papers and planning their coming days. When shopping they are aware of what is available to help keep children interested and enthused about learning. What I have witnessed is whatever the grade I think teachers are on the alert 24/7!!

All right, so all that running off at the mouth leads me to my reason for writing this column. Volunteers are needed in our schools,  even people who can’t be out and about but can help teachers from their homes by cutting and other preparation work that would relieve the teachers to do other things. You would be amazed the ways you could help. Some people think it takes a special skill, however, having another body sometimes is just helpful, another set of eyes or lap. You can make a big difference in a child’s life just by letting them read to you. We all have skills that we don’t acknowledge but others appreciate. Think about yours. Did you tell your kids stories, here is your chance to pass on your stories. It is amazing the difference you could make by volunteering a few hours a week.

I am looking forward to all the reading and writing stuff. I am hoping to pass on my passion of reading and writing. If I can help one child to find learning as enjoyable then all the hours will be worth it. Oh yeah, and the little extra energy I can share in the classroom will be appreciated by my teacher.

I love listening to little ones tell their stories or talk about their experiences. They get so excited. I am hoping to put their little imaginations to work. Maybe I’ll be able to help them write their own stories. Yes, I am excited and I hope others will have an awakening to assist the teachers prepare these children for their future professions.

I’m just curious if you could fill in at least a couple hours a week. You can always be an “aunt,” “uncle,” “grandparent.”

Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com, sub line: Awakening. See you at school!