Helen Woody may be past the retirement age, but she’s still in the workforce. She’s one of the exceptional grandmothers volunteering her time to help young students learn.
Through Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Woody and other loving seniors take time out of their day to work with kindergarten students in school. Woody volunteers at Booker T. Washington Elementary in Tampa, which is one of the "toughest elementary schools" in the county, according to ABC Action News.
Similarly to Granny Lewis who aids the children victims of domestic violence in Dallas, Woody helps the kids feel loved. There's something impactful about having such a figure present in the classroom, as you'll see from the children's acceptance in the video below.
"Someone loves them, cares about them. Not only the teacher, but someone for them to be able to call her 'Grandma,'" kindergarten teacher Satonya Brascom told the news station. "She is providing that outlet for them to see a positive, grandmother figure, one that shows love, caring support for them."
And as much as Woody is helping the students, they are also influencing her in a positive way.
“It motivates me,” Woody said. “I learn from them. … I feel good, too."
Watch below and please SHARE if you're glad programs like these exist!
Grandparents volunteer in classroom, 12-3
What a beautiful idea!Local seniors are mentoring elementary school students as part of a new "grandparents" program, bringing light into the life of everyone involved: http://wfts.tv/1Q4cqmm
Posted by ABC Action News – WFTS – Tampa Bay on Thursday, December 3, 2015
