Helping My Kids At Home and in Our School

I am an AACPS: Parent/Grandparent | Employee | Volunteer Coordinator, Park Elementary School

My son came to Park Elementary school in first grade. He has some significant learning challenges and at first I was so concerned about putting him in public school. I wanted to make sure he was getting everything that he needed so I started volunteering to help him and to help other kids who may be struggling to communicate, like my son.

One day, after a few months, Principal Blondell asked if I would be the Volunteer Coordinator. At first, I told her no, that I wouldn’t know how to do a job like that. But Ms. Blondell told me, “I think you can do this job. Everybody here knows you and you can help get more families to volunteer.” So I said yes and I started talking to parents in the parking lot. In the first six months I got five volunteers and it just grew and grew. I tell parents that volunteering is giving time to help your child and helping out your child’s teacher. The more you are in the classroom, the more you’re helping your child. Over the past six years or so, we’ve gone from zero volunteers to 15-20.

My son is in 7^th grade now and he is thriving. I’m also taking care of my three granddaughters, who all go to Park Elementary. Being in the classroom, I’m seeing what they’re going through and I can help and reassure them. Knowing that I have that insight means I’m helping kids here and I’m helping them at home.

Being around everything in the school just made me want to learn more. Now, I’m still the volunteer coordinator, but I also work here as a temporary support assistant and I work with Recreation & Parks in the after-school program. I have been taking care of kids since I was 8 or 9 years old and doing this job, I get to use what I know from my experience to help other kids. When I don’t know something, the school is also always willing to teach me so I can learn how to get even better. It’s like I get to be in school all over again.

People tell me that I do a lot. [In addition to her roles at Park Elementary, Ms. Taylor is also an evening custodian at Overlook Elementary School]. But I’m blessed in so many ways and I know that God has set my life so that everything has fallen into place. I know what I want for my son and my granddaughters and I really appreciate the way everyone at Park has welcomed me and embraced me. Now, I just bought my first house, which gives my son a place he knows will always be home so he can concentrate on the great things he wants to do with his life.

I feel like I hit the jackpot, really, working at Park Elementary. Coming into the school is like coming into another family. It’s a place of work, but also a place of love. I thank Ms. Blondell for being not just my boss but a second Mom and I think everyone here for making it a family, not just a job. Whether it’s you or a student, everyone gathers around you. Everything they do is about the kids and I want to say “thank you” for allowing me to be a part of it.