‘Grandparents for Education’ help out in classrooms

A few years ago, Owatonna resident Pat Haats was a retiree looking for “something to keep busy.”

A newspaper ad connected her with Grandparents for Education, an organization established in 2009 by Ron and Sondra von Arb. Coordinator Linda Breyer said the group gets volunteers who are grandparents or “honorary grandparents” into schools to help students with reading and math and to help teachers with… well, just about anything.

“We work closely with the schoolteachers,” Breyer said. “They direct us.”

Haats has for three years helped with four sets of kindergarten classes at Wilson Elementary, each of which has 22 students. She also sometimes works with children one-on-one to help them with their reading.

“I prep things for projects, I laminate and cut things out, sort out papers,” she said. “I enjoy it, and it’s an out, a chance to get involved with the younger children and the younger generation… In our family, we have seven kids, but they all live out of state. We don’t get to see them that often.”

Grandparents for Education has also introduced her to new friends, something she didn’t have much of a chance to do when her family moved to Owatonna from Iowa years ago.

Breyer also got involved to fill a gap in her life. A retiree, she had been babysitting her grandchildren until they started school. Her daughter found Grandparents for Education.

“I was looking for an organization that helps in the schools,” she said.

That was 2010. At the time, Grandparents for Education had only about 20 members. Today, more than 100 volunteer, mostly in elementary and middle schools. If high school teachers ask for help, they’ll step in.

Volunteers work whatever hours they have available, and snowbirds who travel to warmer places in the winter are welcome. You don’t even have to be a grandparent–just someone who wants to help kids in school. A newsletter lists volunteer opportunities.

“It could be once a month, once a week, it’s whatever their time schedule is,” Breyer said.

With each volunteer, she tries to find a school that works with the time they have available, and usually, “it works quite well.”

Wilson Elementary third grade teacher Julie Buryska has had Kay Schuster volunteering in her classroom for around eight years, except during COVID. Along with prepping projects, Schuster will help children with any of the skills they need to improve on, giving them “that extra dose”.

“I’ve had her work with students on reading and fluency one-on-one,” Buryska said. “The goal is to have them read so many words per minute, and we’ve really seen improvement.”

“We can’t say enough about her,” she added. “Usually when you see a student working with Kay, they’re relaxed and happy and having a good time.”

Schuster calls herself a “professional volunteer.” It’s something the retired teacher has done her whole life. She joined Grandparents for Education more than 10 years ago.

“I like kids, and I like keeping busy,” she said. “I’m a craft person, so I like doing the art prep.”

The flexibility also appeals to Schuster, as does being able to go at her own pace.

“The teachers appreciate it,” she said. “I get a lot of pleasure out of doing it.”

Wilson first grade teacher Michele Rysavy has worked with several volunteers, who typically read with students and offer guided practice with reading and writing. It’s also building relationships, which is especially helpful for children whose grandparents have passed on or don’t live nearby. 

“I think the best thing is that one-on-one attention,” she said. “My students really look forward to them coming… I think it helps bring the generations together, and the kids learn a lot. (The volunteers) are very patient and never in a hurry. It’s a listening ear for the students.”

There’s always a need for more volunteers, Breyer said, and there are many rewards. She has even had students remember that she helped in their classrooms 10 or 12 years ago.

Volunteering can also be helpful for those who are adjusting to retirement.

“If you want something to keep you busy, especially if you’ve been working all your life, it’s something to get up and get dressed and go,” Haats said.