Column: Volunteer to help our kids
Retired superintendent curt dubost
– Like many school superintendents, when I became frustrated with my job, the best cure was to visit a kindergarten or a first-grade classroom. Especially if taught by a superstar teacher (and there are many), it was always an uplifting experience, reminding me again why a career in education was a good choice despite any difficulties coming from irate parents, confrontational staff, or community critics.
While at times a disruptive child is an annoyance to all, almost all of the kids are kind, inquisitive, and eager to learn. The vast majority of the staff are women, and too many of the kids come from homes without a positive adult male role model. After a few minutes of reading to or with them, or just wandering the class asking about and praising their work, I could return to my office to call that difficult parent back or meet with a community activist convinced he or she had simple answers to the problems of education today.
In retirement, I try weekly to make visits to three classrooms at two elementary schools and to walk the junior high at lunch with my partner, Ron Cuff, interacting with students. At one of the schools, I was always accompanied by my neighbor, Bill Krum. As I mentioned in a previous column, Bill’s previously donated service to the District included being the leader of the 7-11 Bond Oversight committee as well as the primary author of the “Krum Report” recommending which bond-funded projects could or should be deleted from our construction plans.
Bill passed away suddenly last month. He was a highly successful retired business executive and developer. He played football at Cal in the 1960’s and once tackled Gale Sayers. He loved to weld and build projects, especially for his beloved wife, Narda, who keeps an immaculate yard. He often said that the highlight of his retirement was his volunteer work at the Early Education Center at Marie Bauer. As we entered the playground, many youngsters, especially boys, would run to him, often exclaiming, “Mr. Kwum” is here and eagerly hugging him.
Bill often told me those visits were the absolute best times of his days of leisure.
As you read this, is your day and week too full to volunteer some time or expertise to help kids? Can you serve as a volunteer coach? A referee? A Scout leader? An FFA project judge? A 4H leader? In your church youth group? Would you like to help in a classroom? It only takes a few minutes to make a difference. Another great example is school board member Nathan Williams, who seemingly volunteers everywhere for everything imaginable to help youth. I cannot recall Nathan ever saying NO to helping a kid.
Yes, it takes a commitment, and sometimes I wish it were on a different day. When you attend a school play, however, such as “Mary Poppins” last weekend at Almond Acres, and a little one comes over to you and appreciatively says, “Grandpa HoHo, you came to my play!” I guarantee you’ll feel a warmth come over you that is worth every minute of your time.
-By Retired Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Superintendent Curt Dubost
