For Lynn Vaughan, the decision to participate in Terrell ISD’s Grands on the Go! program was a no-brainer. After all, her experience as a teacher for nearly 40 years and her role as a “Granna” to her grandchildren more than qualified her for this volunteer opportunity. “When I saw the announcement about Grands on the Go! on social media I knew immediately I wanted to get involved,” she shared.
Grands on the Go! connects members of the community ages 55 years and older with Terrell ISD elementary students. Grands serve as classroom helpers once a week for three hours on Tuesdays and are assigned to classrooms in kindergarten, first and second grades.
This past year the Grands on the Go! program was piloted at Gilbert Willie Elementary School. In August, the Grands attended a “Match Day Breakfast” where they were able to meet and connect with their assigned teacher.
Since the start of school, Ms. Vaughan has been paired with Kayla Sellers’ second grade classroom. She aids Ms. Sellers by helping students to practice their reading skills and assists with hands-on science activities and social studies lessons. She shared that she has also been able to help students who are struggling emotionally because she can provide that safe “Grandma space.”
Ms. Sellers shared that she is grateful to have someone like Granna in her classroom. “Having Granna in the classroom has been amazing! The kids always ask me ‘Where is Granna? Is she coming today?’ As a first year teacher, she has helped me immensely and I’m very grateful to have Granna in my classroom!”
While Ms. Vaughan’s teaching background has been of great help, she stresses that anyone can be a Grand on the Go! “It is about loving students and lifting them up - not grades and curriculum,” she shared. “I see these students as new friends and now when I see them around town they holler ‘Granna’ and I love it!”
Next year the district will expand the Grands on the Go program to the remaining three elementary campuses and will need to add 32 more Grands to the roster. The district plans to begin recruiting for more MeMes, Paw Paws, Grandmas, Grandpas, Abuelas, Abuelos, Lollis and Poppys this summer and will be looking for Grands who can commit to three hours every Tuesday. “You will not be able to build relationships with kids if you don't show up every week,” stressed Ms. Vaughan. “They are counting on you.”
For those considering participating in the Grands on the Go! program next year, Ms. Vaughan shared that it is just like being a grandparent. “You get to love on students and spoil them and send them back home to their parents. It is all the love and fun stuff without the full time job.”
For more information on the Grands on the Go! Program, contact Dwight Malone, Director of Family and Community Engagement at dwight.malone@terrellisd.org