Thursday, February 22, 2007

Get Your Feet Wet…With Experience Corps!

It’s not every day that a literacy volunteer takes their teaching to the swimming pool. But that is exactly what Experience Corps volunteer Sheldon Appel did with his student this winter. Eric, a student at the Blackstone Elementary School, was reluctant to go swimming with his class. But when Eric confided in his Reading Coach that he was nervous about the water, Sheldon told him that he would be happy to help teach him how to swim. After obtaining permission from Eric’s parents, teachers, and the school administration, Sheldon arranged their first swim meet. Eric met “Mr. Shelly” at the pool, and Sheldon showed him the basics of kicking, stroke technique, and how to do laps! Now Sheldon says, Eric has made great progress, “I helped him, [and now] he’s swimming.”

I’m continually amazed at the depth of relationships our volunteers build with their students. By spending just a few hours a week reading together, these students are able to relate to these retirees in ways most wouldn’t even consider. And visa versa. That’s one of the things I love most about GI– we’re learning from each other. Constantly.

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