Volunteer spotlight: Lula Wolfe
Nations Ford volunteer makes helping students a full-time job
Lula Wolfe’s lifelong dream is fulfilled every day when she volunteers at Nations Ford Elementary.
“My goal was to be a schoolteacher,” said Wolfe, whose parents couldn’t afford to send her to college. “This is a gift
from God. When I’m here, I’m in my own world.”
Wolfe became a volunteer at Nations Ford in 2014, working five hours in two days each week in Aisha Jones’
kindergarten class. That schedule eventually expanded to full time, five days a week, including the cafeteria monitoring
that was added in November.
“Monday is a long day because later
I volunteer with the Y Readers program,”
said Wolfe, who has worked with children at
Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church for 32
years. “I also tutor every Saturday in reading
and math from 10 a.m. to noon [at the
church]. It’s open to our community.
“And I am retired,” said Wolfe with a
laugh. She is the mother of three sons, has six
grandchildren and a husband who “just lets me have
my way” when it comes to her busy schedule.
At Nations Ford, Wolfe stayed with Jones when she moved from kindergarten to
first grade, a move that allowed her to continue working with the same students a
second year. She said she does whatever Jones needs her to do, and she’s always on
the lookout for materials that can be used in the classroom. She said she brings in
books and puzzles she finds at Dollar Tree – “things that help children learn to think”
- and makes the workbooks students use for practicing math skills.
Wolfe sat with a group of students last week to review their answers to doubledigit addition problems. Each jockeyed for a turn with Wolfe and to get a spot next
to her.
“I’m proud of you; you know that, right?” Wolfe told each student, rewarding
their efforts with hugs, high-fives and love.
Jones said she was on maternity leave when Wolfe began volunteering and said
it gave her a sense of relief to have Wolfe in the classroom.
“She’s very dedicated to the students and their learning, and they love working
with her because she’s always positive and encouraging,” Jones said. “She challenges them to work hard and do their best. I don’t know what we would do
without her in our class. She’s a huge part of our success.”
Wolfe shies away from any recognition for her volunteer work but encourages others to contribute, saying someone has given to them along the way. She
said volunteering is a joy, and that there is nothing like seeing the look on a student’s face when the light bulb goes on and they finally make a connection
with the material.
“I know my hard work is not in vain,” she said.
Proctors needed
CMS needs you! As end of year testing season approaches, proctors are needed to help our teachers monitor students taking
tests. Proctor assist the classroom teacher by observing students during testing. If you are not already a volunteer, please
take a moment to complete the volunteer application at www.cmsvolunteers.com. If you are a registered volunteer, please
access your volunteer profile page by visiting www.cmsvolunteers.com, review your information, make any necessary
updates (such as your school selection) and click submit. By doing this you’ll become an active volunteer.
For more information please contact Ana Brown, district volunteer coordinator at [email protected].
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