Senior hopes for tutors to help at all South Side elementaries
Like any proud grandpa, Roger Cochran showed his friends one of his prized possessions — a T-shirt covered with blue and green handprints of children dear to his heart.
The handprints belong to last year’s second-grade class at Moran Prairie Elementary.
Cochran, affectionately known to the children as Gramps, has been a volunteer tutor at the school for eight years. He helps the students with reading and shares the wisdom of his years.
At a recent Southside Senior Center luncheon, Cochran told members about the rewards of tutoring. He is organizing a group from the 1,500 members of the center.
His goal is to be able to gather enough tutors to help at every elementary school on the South Side.
Those interested in volunteering have the opportunity to observe a classroom setting at Reid Elementary School on the Eastern Washington University campus in Cheney. By watching the students and teachers interact, potential volunteers will be able to see what age group and subjects interest them.
A van will leave the Southside Senior Center, 27th and Ray, at 9 a.m. Tuesday and return to the center at 12:30 p.m.
His hope is to form a club within a club, where the tutors can get together once a month at the senior center to share their experiences and help each other become better tutors.
Marybeth Smith, former volunteer coordinator for Spokane Public Schools, told those attending the luncheon how the role of school volunteers has changed over the years.
In the 1970s volunteers were primarily students’ moms who helped with things like valentine parties and other special events.
Today, hundreds of hours are provided by volunteers of all ages. These volunteers act not only as tutors, but mentors as well.
“It’s so important to be with grown-ups that care,” said Smith.
Carol Delehanty started an intergenerational program at the Southside Senior Center a few years ago.
“We need to show our community that we are out there helping,” Delehanty said. “Seniors need to feel that they are needed.
“As tutors and mentors, we can help these kids with such things as bonding, communication, values, life lessons, things some kids aren’t getting at home,” she said.
Smith said that while some students live in more literate environments and are read to even while still in the womb, others don’t even know how to read a book.
Cochran shared a thank-you letter from one of his reading buddies.
“Dear Gramps: Thank you for helping me read better. You’re the nicess guy in the world. You help me with everything. I like you so much I wish you never go. You are the best in the West. Sincerely, Derek.”
“If you want to stay young, this is really the fountain of youth,” Cochran said.