Volunteers within the Fargo Public Schools come in many shapes and sizes, are different ages, and from many backgrounds. Some serve as an extra pair of hands in a classroom, a guest speaker, or an academic coach for a struggling student. All of them, however, serve as a role model and positive life influencer – very important work.
Just ask Linda Boyd, a retired corporate manager who has been a North Dakota Reading Corps volunteer at Bennett Elementary School for two years now. “At the end of the day, I feel rich inside, knowing I’ve made a real connection for the kids in their reading skills.”
Boyd volunteers for 20 hours per week at Bennett as a reading coach to ten students. They meet one-on-one for
20-minute sessions, and run through reading interventions tailored to each student’s reading level and needs. “The goal is to see these students making learning progress, that they are trending upward in their skills,” said Boyd.
North Dakota Reading Corps is an AmeriCorps program, and is administered by the Southeast Education Cooperative. Reading coaches are volunteers, although they are compensated with an hourly living wage. Program volunteers undergo a background check and receive extensive training prior to being assigned to a school. Boyd shared, “The training I received was fabulous. So thorough. You learn techniques and exactly what to do before working with the kids, so you understand and comprehend. Nothing is left to chance. I feel very confident that I know what to do with the students.”
In addition to the “official” Reading Corps accountability and progress reports Boyd fills out, she has also created a progress chart for her students, and each session ends with the student adding a star along their rocket journey to reading success. The students are proud to track their positive progress. “The best part of being a volunteer is that the kids are fun and so honest – they let you know how you are doing and if you keep their interest.”
The student’s life isn’t the only one enriched by the relationship and volunteering experience. Boyd points back to one of her reading students. “When a student works hard and reaches a goal and squeals, so delighted with themselves, that’s something to do a happy dance for.” Who wouldn’t want to dance with joy and pride in celebration of accomplishing such important work?
Fargo Public Schools utilizes a variety of volunteers in most of its 23 schools. Many are parents who serve through a PTA, others are service club members or business representatives, and a small number are retired citizens. We thank each one of them for the important work they are doing for and with our students.
For more information about the volunteering opportunities available within the Fargo Public Schools, contact the following representatives:
Adopt-A-School – Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation
Carol Johnson, Executive Director, 701.446 or mfroeber@gfmedc.com
A local business or organization is paired with a school, and employees are utilized to help out in classrooms, with school activities, and at family events. Projects and involvement varies by each school.
FM Speakers Bureau – Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation
Missy Froeber, Executive Assistant, 701.364.1900 or mfroeber@gfmedc.com
Businesses and community business leaders volunteer their time and expertise to speak to K – 12 classrooms on a wide range of business, industry, and career topics.
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest – www.jaum.org
Lisa Metzger, District Manager, 701.241.8628 or lisam@jaum.org
Community business men and women visit classrooms to share the entrepreneurial spirit and business principles.
ND Reading Corps, an AmeriCorps program – Southeast Education Cooperative
Jolene Garty, Volunteer Coordinator, 701.446.3173 or gartyj@ndseec.com
This program trains and places reading coaches for 20 hours per week within an elementary school. Volunteers are paid an hourly living wage.
RSVP+North Dakota – www.rsvpnd.com
Teresa Huff, Fargo Coordinator, 701.231.9753 or teresa.huff@ndsu.edu
This agency administers the Foster Grandparent program, which places a senior citizen at a school to mentor elementary students in a classroom setting.
