Volunteers We’re Talkin’ To: Bob Lapin
Bob Lapin has been a KOREH L.A. volunteer at Sylvan Park Elementary School for the past nine years. His enthusiasm for working with his reading partners (this year, he is working with a 4th grader and a 5th grader) seems to gush out of the phone during each conversation that we have. What a great volunteer to learn from! Below, Bob shares some insights from his many years volunteering.
What is one piece of advice you think would be most useful for a new volunteer?
Be flexible; establish a relationship with the teachers and coordinators when possible.
What is one challenge you were confronted with when volunteering, and how did you solve it?
At some point during the year with my very first student, he started acting out during the sessions. It became counterproductive, so I asked for ideas from the coordinator. After trying a few things to no avail, we decided to stop the sessions for a while. We did pick them up after a while when his behavior settled down.
What is the funniest or cutest thing that one of your reading partners has said or done?
A few years ago, I brought a travel slide show to my student's class.. It was a great experience for all. The teacher asked any student who wished to write me a thank you note. It was touching to read them. The one remark that stuck with me was: "Carlos (my student) is lucky to have someone like you who is there for him every week." I don't think I need to explain that. The writer was a girl.
Which books are the most popular with the student(s) you work with?
"Captain Underpants" - however I have not read it. For the past few months I have included special crossword puzzles from the LA Times Sunday edition (section: Comics II). These have been terrific vocabulary boosters. The puzzles are named: "Kids across, parents down." I highly recommend these to the volunteers. I have used other sections from the newspapers, especially the sports (for boys). I have often used the reading texts currently in use by the student in class. I sometimes invite the student to select a book from the reading room where we meet. Recently I bought a book for one of my students because he expressed an interest in it.
What motivates you to volunteer with KOREH L.A.?
My personal feeling of being very fortunate and blessed [drives my commitment to KOREH L.A.]. I have a desire to share [this] with the students. Today's class sizes are large - too large - so having a little one-on-one time can be helpful to certain students. I'm lucky enough to travel a few times a year. I often bring back small items or gifts and discuss my trips with the students.
If you could change one thing about your volunteer experience, what would it be?
I wish the class sizes were smaller. Being a teacher today is a difficult job for many reasons, large class sizes being one of them. By working one-on-one I hope I expand the student's learning, at least a little.
Reading through Bob's responses, I was struck by the many ways he goes above and beyond to build not only a relationship with his student, but even with the student's class. Bob's dedication and passion for the KOREH L.A. program was driven home to me when, after sending his initial response, he sent me this additional reflection:
I believe we volunteers do make a positive difference in the lives of these students. Sometimes we might not see it, but I suspect in many cases it shows up in the future, in some cases more than others, perhaps. At a minimum we offer a different kind of relationship outside of the children's normal community and different from teachers and school staff. Who's to say our little nudge in the right direction might not lead a student to college... medical school... and discovery of some miracle drug?
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