JA-Rocky Mountain has more than 3,500 volunteers who reach more than 100,000 Kindergarten through 12th grade students each year in 535 area schools. Every JA encounter makes an impact on both the student and the volunteer. Following is a story by Ginger Short who graciously agreed to share her experience about volunteering in a 5th grade classroom.
The day of JA was one that sparked a light inside of me that had been out for a long time. The day was foreshadowed with anticipation about whether I would be capable of teaching a classroom, if the students would listen to my lessons, and if my presence in that school would make an impact. That morning I think I believed the answer to all of these questions would be, “No.” But as soon as I stepped into the front doors of the elementary school with my teammates on either side, the perspective shifted.
Immediately greeted by a warm smile and an inviting introduction, the teacher ushered us into his 5th grade classroom, overcrowded with desks. After stating his appreciation for our presence, he told us of the demographic of students we would be meeting. The school had every child on free lunch programs due to the high rate of poverty. Most students lived in neighboring trailer parks often being raised by single parents or grandparents. If that wasn’t enough to break our hearts, he went on to tell us that many students were struggling to read and write at their grade level. All this information was noteworthy, but what I remember better than any other words he spoke was, “ I love these kids, they know I’d do anything for them.” His compassion and dedication to these students was inspiration enough to get us amped for the day.
I taught the first lesson to the class, looking into the eyes of 30 strangers. I think looking at each one of them, calling them by name, seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter and knowledge, eradicated our unfamiliarity. By the end of that day, not one of those incredible children was a stranger to me. I knew their family stories, classroom crushes, hobbies, strengths, fears, dreams and aspirations. The children’s willingness to engage, ask questions, share ideas and listen was astounding. I was so impressed by the uniqueness that each student brought to the atmosphere of the room. With each lesson, the teacher would reassure us of the great job we were doing with the conduction of his classroom. I think all the praise he gave us for that one day should be returned to him tenfold. The compassion, time, interest, patience and wisdom he gives to those students everyday is more than honorable. Teachers truly deserve much more admiration and respect than they receive for the difficult yet essential position they employ.
After all the lessons had been taught, my teammates and I decided to share our personal stories of getting into college. We spoke of coming from single parent households, living under the poverty level, overcoming adversities and gaining strength through hardships. The room was heavy with emotion as the children listened to stories that sounded strangely like theirs. We all concluded with encouragement for the children to pursue college regardless of their circumstances. Then children rushed to share their personal experiences with hardship, fears regarding college and ask questions about our stories. One child told us that he wants to be a surgeon, an accomplishment that would far outreach this mother’s 5th grade education.
We chatted with the students about life, about school and about family until the bell rang. Then the children gathered around us giving us hugs, high-fives, “thank you” and “I’ll miss yous.” Their thankfulness seemed out of place, because we were the ones truly blessed by the experience of JA. Our day teaching that 5th grade classroom marked the ignition of rediscovered passion for concern with children, education and community awareness as I experienced the impact my feeble story could create for the hearts and minds of these young students.
Thanks to Ginger and all of our wonderful volunteers!
If you would like to learn more about getting involved with JA, visit the Volunteers section of our website.