Education is a place where one can volunteer and feel the impact in the moment, as well as long-term. Spending time with second graders in small reading groups is a small thing I enjoy doing to ensure the students are keeping up with grade level standards, which sets them up for success as they advance through school.
Disparities in college acceptances and job opportunities can often be traced back to the quality of one’s initial education. Living in Marin, it’s impossible not to notice the contrast in resources between some public schools in affluent communities and those with a lower tax base. Volunteering with 10,000 Degrees lets me play a small part in bridging that gap. I enjoy helping ensure that every child, regardless of circumstances, has the same chance to learn and succeed.
Some of the students have parents who don’t speak English, or are working two jobs with little flexibility, so I am pleased to be an extra adult that can work with them one on one to make sure they have time to practice reading.
The second graders are still in that magical stage of learning, they are eager to read, curious about everything, even competing about who gets to read more pages. It is rewarding to watch them enjoy doing the work and gain confidence.
Academic Success Volunteer since 2022
Sausalito/Marin City School District
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