Because there’s no wrong way to read to a child. It makes a lot of sense to me to be a volunteer for SMART. I know firsthand how SMART is changing lives and I know I am helping with that. I have been a SMART volunteer since 1994. I am very fortunate that the company […]
stories from the SMART community:
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Story from:
Denison Thomas, Crook County
I’m a retired physician, and I initially got involved in SMART because I have always been interested in children. It was my exposure to some other people who were involved with SMART that finally convinced me. Over the years, about one student per year would impress me, I did have some favorites over the years. […]
Story from:
Susie Wells, Hood River
In six years of coordinating for SMART, I have seen a lot of success. I worked with a lot of kids who had very little experience with English and communicating with adults. I think that is where we saw our greatest improvement. Kids became more confident and improved their communication and language skills. This also […]
Story from:
Maryann Fulton, Deschutes County
I started volunteering for SMART in 1998 at Tumalo Elementary; my husband joined me the next year. We frequently talked about the SMART program at Grandparents Day and encouraged the grandparents to volunteer. Our own grandchildren live in Washington so it is difficult for us to participate in their school programs. Like us, they may be reading […]
Story from:
Mary Brooks-Conley, Washington County
I have been volunteering at SMART since 1997. All of my experience except for the first year has been at the same school. What a delight that has been! The first year, the program was so young. We were scrambling for space. The first time I read, we all met at the end of a […]
Story from:
Veronika Newgard, Clackamas County
I have been a SMART volunteer for 15 years. I still love it! When I come back to my school, some of my kids come and hug me. When they do this, I know that I have done something right. I am strict and do not put up with goofing around, nevertheless they get excited to see me. I love the whole experience. I love reading to and with them, […]
Story from:
Susan Rola, Deschutes County
I have been a SMART reader for over 15 years. I signed up because I love books and I love children — what a no-brainer to volunteer to A) read, and B) be with children! But I had no idea how much I would enjoy it. I started when my own two kids were little, and now they […]
Story from:
Mary Chisholm, Deschutes County
Wow, 20 years already? My first readers have graduated from high school and college! I myself was a young 46 when I started as a SMART volunteer – and now I am a young 65! I began as a SMART volunteer when the program started in 1992 with 8 schools, including La Pine Elementary. SMART […]
Story from:
Geri Rumbaugh, Clark County
I have been volunteering for SMART for about 13 years. I started it because I really missed reading to my daughter. I like using different voices and enjoy getting quite animated when I read. I know the kids really enjoy it, but I believe I get as much enjoyment out of it as they do. […]
Cleve Twitchell, Jackson County
During the first year of SMART in Medford, I was reading to a young man in the hallway at Jackson School. A classmate of his went running by. “No running in the hall,” shouted my student. A few minutes later, my student asked if he could go to the restroom. And, of course, he ran!