By: Sarah Trescott
Interactive Marketing Manager
Did you know that when a variety of different color markers get on your fingers they do not stay a rainbow of colors but rather turn your fingers black? I learned that lesson first hand (pun intended) my first morning volunteering. I think I should have paid more attention to the “color-in-the-lines” lesson in kindergarten, because I just got schooled in coloring by a bunch of 4th graders! My first day volunteering was mad chaos and I loved it! My training started out with a little change in plans. The 4th grade class needed help with phonics so that is going to be my job instead of reading. At first I was a little nervous. I know how to read, but phonics? Do I even remember phonics? I asked the volunteer supervisor if I needed any special training. Her response was classic: “Can you sound out the word ‘bat?’ Well, then I think you will do just fine.”
Thankfully phonics lesson plans are easy to follow. After the first few minutes I was chatting with the kids, trying to remember names, and helping them sound out words. The hour sped by and before long I was in my car heading back to the office reflecting on my experience. I started off looking to volunteer for me. I knew it would make me feel good, and I thought it would keep me passionate about my work. But when I had those little eyes looking up at me, my reason changed. I know that I’m just one of probably dozens of people who will be a part of these kids academic experience. Five years, or more likely five minutes, from now they will not even have a memory of who I am or the subject that I helped them study. But if they are reading at grade level, if they stay in school, if they end up going to college–I will just be one more person that helped them along that path. They are worth the effort. My small moment is part of a much bigger picture of helping kids in Utah have a better future. One hour of phonics is a very small step towards reaching that goal. These kids are the future and they are precious. Volunteering now is not about me, it is about those smiling faces and helping them on the path towards a bright future.
