We hosted the “Kids Need Us More Than Ever” Dinner on April 10 to shine light on how Classroom Grandparent volunteers are teaching struggling students to read every day. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres were honored for their partnership with Seniors in Service to help children in Hillsborough County love learning. Powerful testimonials were shared from Seniors in Service volunteers, teachers, and school leaders about the challenges they see every day as they continue to help children overcome the academic and social gap created by COVID.
The testimonials from Assistant Principal Brascom, Grandma Woody and 7th grader Harmoni captured everyone’s heart. After nearly a decade these three reunited at the elementary school where they first met.
Harmoni was once an overwhelmed child in Ms. Brascom’s Kindergarten classroom and sitting next to Grandma Woody was the only thing that made her feel safe. Ms. Brascom, who is now the Vice Principal at BT Washington Elementary, shared, “Grandma Woody noticed Harmoni struggling in class and being reserved in groups. She worked with her one-on-one so Harmoni could open up and feel safe. Once that took place, Harmoni just soared.” Day after day Grandma Woody would help Harmoni learn letters, sounds, and sight words. As Harmoni learned to read, she began to enjoy coming to school. This special bond and encouragement from “Grandma” Woody helped Harmony blossom into a vibrant, social, and successful student.
“It was not shortly after meeting Grandma Woody that she became my hero. I didn’t like doing my schoolwork in kindergarten, but Grandma Woody helped instill confidence in me, I know I can do the work now and I enjoy it.” -Harmoni, 7th grade student
Grandma Woody moved the whole room when she looked directly at Harmoni and said, “Thank YOU, Harmoni, for giving ME purpose. Seniors in Service has always been more than volunteer work to me. It has been a guiding force that allows me to give back to the children and community in which I live. This is my calling. I saw in Harmoni, not just a student but a leader in the making, a young girl with the potential to change the world. “
Pictured to the right: Grandma Woody shown with one of her current students from this school year. She continues to shape minds every year as a Classroom Grandma. This past school year alone she served over 1100 hours of tutoring and mentoring 3rd grade students at BT Washington Elementary.
Shown below: Assistant Principal Sa’Tonya Brascom, Grandma Woody, and 7th grader Harmoni who still asks her mom to drive her to Grandma Woody’s house, so she can say hi and get a hug from her “Grandma”!
