By: Donna Abrahamson
Grade 3 Teacher
“GRANDMA!”, you can hear echoing from the classroom on mornings when Johanne Vinson shows up at Roosevelt Elementary. Students, with smiles from ear to ear, running and hugging her to the point of almost knocking the 84-year-old down. Johanne is a volunteer who has dedicated 66 years to helping children become successful with their education.
Johanne came from a little town in northeast Montana. She started teaching at the age of 18. Grandma Johanne taught overseas in Japan and Germany, then in several states, before coming to Gladstone, North Dakota, and on to Dickinson, where she retired from Berg Elementary. However, she didn't stop there; she continued to help Dickinson Public Schools by subbing and now volunteering in the classroom as 'Grandma.'
Once a week, she comes in and helps support 3rd graders in my classroom with their reading, writing, and anything they need help with. It’s funny how life can come full circle, as Grandma started teaching with my mother in Scobey, Montana. We taught together for Dickinson Public Schools, and now we are working together again at Roosevelt. It's an extra special year, as one of those 3rd graders this year is her great-great nephew!
There are so many advantages to having volunteers come into my classroom. In addition to having a retired teacher volunteer, I’ve also had other grandparents, parents, high school students, college athletes etc. These volunteers provide so much, including assisting in the classroom, and the ability to have more engaging and active activities; it also improves my morale having these resources available.
Research shows that children who have worked with volunteers have better grades and perform better on tests. They're also better behaved, have better attendance, and are more likely to graduate and continue their education. When reading about all the advantages of volunteers in the classroom, I found it interesting that high school students benefit the most from this. Empathy and communication are just a few of the skills they acquire.
Grandma Johanne is constantly asked, "WHY?" She always smiles with goosebumps and says, "These young students inspire me!" Little does Grandma know how much joy and inspiration she brings to them.
To learn more about volunteering in our schools, visit https://www.dickinson.k12.nd.us/our-district/volunteer or scan the QR Code.