“The best part about volunteering is feeling like I am helping students and Mrs. (Jess) Davis,” said Ms. Tillman, a former teacher who now volunteers in third grade classrooms at Kegonsa, in an interview with students. “I love seeing the smiles on their (students’) faces.”

Tillman is one of several who have become regular volunteers in the school’s third grade classrooms this school year and helped students develop their skills in reading and math while building relationships.

“All in all, these experiences are all positive,” said Davis, one of the third-grade teachers at Kegonsa. “The volunteers all have a purpose and they are able to do things that I don't always have time for. They come consistently, so the students have positive relationships with them. I appreciate all of them and the time they are giving to our students.”

Those volunteers include people who have ties to the school, to education, or to both.

Mrs. Koss, for example, volunteers every week. A former teacher in Fitchburg who started volunteering in schools after she retired, Koss said she began volunteering in Kegonsa because the teachers were “so nice” to her grandson when he attended school there.

“This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who taught my grandson,” she said in her interview with Kegonsa students.

Davis said that Koss has been working with students on reading comprehension of complex texts: asking and answering questions, providing text evidence and determining the meaning/theme of a text. She also talks with students about taking tests, slowing down and checking to make sure answers make sense.

Tillman was also a teacher and has volunteered in Madison schools. She works on reading comprehension, specifically focusing on asking/answering questions about a text along with providing textual evidence, and works with students on writing complete answers and spelling words from the text correctly.

Mrs. Hasz is a retired educational assistant from Kegonsa who also has a grandchild in the school. She volunteers during math for 60 minutes every week. During her time, she supports small group learning around third-grade standards, whether through classroom support during the lesson or small group work focusing on solving word problems involving all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), Davis said.

Mr. Hipke is a parent in the District who provides general support in the classroom and encourages students to become the best version of themselves that they can be, Davis said.

The experience has not only built skills but also relationships. Kegonsa students have even interviewed the volunteers and displayed the answers in the building (see two examples after the conclusion of this article).

The third grade classes at Kegonsa are always looking for more volunteers, so please contact the third grade team if you are interested!

 

Kegonsa Students’ Interview with Ms. Koss

 

Is this your first time volunteering?

I was a teacher in Fitchburg. Once I retired, I started volunteering. I've been doing it for 7 years.

 

What do you think about Kegonsa?

I think the kids are great and the teachers are very supporting and kind.

 

Why did you start volunteering at Kegonsa?

I did it because the teachers here were so nice to my grandson. This is my way of saying "Thank You" to those who taught my grandson.

 

What do you like most about the kids?

I like the kids because they are fun to work with. They are hard workers!

 

What is your favorite subject to do with the kids?

It doesn't matter - as long as I get to help both the kids and the teachers.

 

Kegonsa Students’ Interview with Ms. Tillman

 

Why do you want to volunteer at Kegonsa?

I was a teacher when I was younger and then I started volunteering in Madison. Then I heard about Mrs. Davis and came to Kegonsa to volunteer.

 

What do you think of our school?

I think that the kids are very lucky to be at the school. It is a very nice facility.

 

When did you start volunteering?

I started volunteering in schools about 4 years ago. I started at Kegonsa at the beginning of this school year.

 

What do you like about the kids?

I like when the kids surprise me with how smart they are. I also like when they work hard.

 

What is the best part about volunteering at Kegonsa?

The best part about volunteering is feeling like I am helping students and Mrs. Davis. I love seeing the smiles on their faces.