Admittedly, my motives for participation were somewhat less than altruistic. Last year I had the good fortune to retire from my position as marketing director for a medical equipment manufacturer at the age of 51. Two of my three daughters are graduates of Kent public schools. A third daughter is a second-grader, and I have a son in seventh grade, as well. With time on my hands, I felt it was about time to support a program that already had admirably prepared two daughters for college.
Guilt is a powerful motivator.
With the guilt gear firmly in drive, I started volunteering my time at Grass Lake Elementary School, reading to kindergartners and third-graders, plus tutoring a few students individually. Taxi Cab Dog by Sal Barracca and Airmail to the Moon by Northwest writer and teacher Tom Birdseye are a couple of books that really turned the kindergartners on. Much to my delight, I found the classroom experience rewarding. It's hard to turn down Sandy's requests, which are delivered with a sunny smile. Besides, I think she had tuned into my guilt channel.