March Volunteer Opportunity

I completed my March volunteer opportunity today.  Principal gives their employees eight hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) a year, so I was able to do this one during the afternoon today.  I have to admit, it was a little difficult to get myself to do it this month.  I'm tired and I wanted to use starting back at work and being tired as an excuse to get out of it this month.  Sadly, I even considered just donating blood or counting my clicks on a website I try and visit every day where you can click on the button and it helps to donate food for the Animal Rescue League, free mammograms, etc.  A few Sundays ago though, our pastor made a comment about being a servant and how it's not always easy or fun, but it's what we are called to do.  I knew right then and there that I needed to give a 100% to this goal.

So, my friend Julie came through for me.  :)  Julie is a Kindergarten/First Grade teacher in Norwalk.  I emailed her to see if she could use a volunteer for a few hours and she said yes!!  You wouldn't think that I would be nervous considering she is one of my best friends, but that almost made me more nervous.  I didn't want to screw up or look dumb!  I have to admit, I had no idea what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed helping her out and really hope I get to again.  This was one of those experiences where I have been thinking about it all night long.  I don't really know why.  Maybe because it was great to see her in the middle of the week.  Maybe it was because I felt productive in helping her.  Maybe it was because I have always had an interest in teaching and really appreciated getting a glimpse of what teaching little kids would be like.  Maybe it's simply amazing to me that one person can control a bunch of busy little kids.  I admire what she does and how she handles herself and her kids.  Or maybe because it's just fascinating to me to watch kids learn and see how each child is such a little individual, even at such a young age.  Whatever the reason, I am just really happy that I had this experience this month. 

While I was there, I did a few different things.  I spent most of my time in the reading room and the kids would read to me.  Once one was done reading their book, I would tell them who was next on the list, and they would go tell the next kid to come.  I also helped do a few little projects for her.  The time went fast!  I would have liked to stay until after school, but I decided to leave before all the buses and parents lined up to pick up their kids so I could get out of there ok.... and I missed Brady....

I have to admit that I am learning something about myself through these volunteer experiences.  First of all, I really like helping people.  It feels good.  Second of all, I think it's ironic that this New Year's resolution was not supposed to be about me this year, and yet I feel like I am the one getting the most benefit out of this.  And finally, I am realizing that I assume a lot of things.  Because of this, I have never taken in interest in learning or questioning things, because I "assume" I know.  I am clearly wrong.  It's really interesting to be in situations and realize that there is so much more to it than my assumptions.